Human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation of relaxin secretion by luteinized human granulosa cells

To determine the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on relaxin secretion by long-term cultures of luteinized human granulosa cells (GC). Luteinized human GC were collected from 10 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Luteinized human GC from each woman were plated in replicate wells at 1×105 cells/well and exposed to medium 199 (GIBCO, Grand Island, NY), medium 199 with 1IU/mL hCG, and/or medium 199 with 100IU hCG/mL. Luteinized human GC were maintained for up to 40days in culture. Spent media were changed every 2days and assayed for relaxin and progesterone (P) at the conclusion of each experiment. Tertiary care center. Luteinized human GC were obtained from women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF with one of the following regimens: (1) clomiphene citrate with human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG); (2) hMG alone; or (3) hMG with leuprolide acetate. All women were