Control Mechanisms for Gonadotrophic Hormone Production In vitro

An internal control mechanism capable of controlling gonadotrophic hormone secretion in the human trophoblast has been identified by incubation of an established cell line with a precursor of progesterone. Biological, biochemical, and electron microscopic findings verify inhibition of gonadotrophic hormone synthesis, depletion of glycogen, activation of phosphorylase, the glycogen-metabolizing enzyme, and ultrastructural appearance of liquid-containing cytoplasmic granules in single cells, indicative of steroid synthesis.