Progesterone production in cultured human granulosa cells: correlation with follicular fluid hormone levels

To examine the progesterone (P) production by cultured granulosa cells and the hormonal content in the follicular fluid (FF) of ovarian-hyperstimulated women. Retrospective. Private Fertility Clinic and National Research Institute. Eighteen patients undergoing in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer programs. Progesterone levels measured in the culture medium of granulosa cells decreased sixfold with culture time. Human luteinizing hormone (LH) increased P production only when basal P production was < 1 µg/mL. Granulosa cell P production in culture was negatively correlated with FF LH-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. Follicular fluid follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were positively correlated with FF P and 17β-estradiol (E2) concentrations. Similar results were found between FF LH(hCG) and E2 levels, but there was no relationship between FF LH(hCG) and FF P values. The high dose of hCG administered during gonadotropin treatment could induce a decrease in the in vitro granulosa cell P production.