Physiological responses of cultured bovine granulosa cells to elevated temperatures under low and high oxygen in the presence of different concentrations of melatonin.

Abstract Our understanding of the effects of temperature on granulosa cell (GC) physiology is primarily limited to in vitro studies conducted under atmospheric (∼20% O 2 ) conditions. In the current series of factorial experiments we identify important effects of O 2 level (i.e. 5% vs 20% O 2 ) on GC viability and steroidogenesis, and go onto report effects of standard (37.5 °C) vs high (40.0 °C) temperatures under more physiologically representative (i.e. 5%) O 2 levels in the presence of different levels of melatonin (0, 20, 200 and 2000 pg/ml); a potent free-radical scavenger and abundant molecule within the ovarian follicle. Cells aspirated from antral (4–6 mm) follicles were cultured in fibronectin-coated wells using serum-free M199 for up to 144 h. At 37.5 °C viable cell number was enhanced and luteinization reduced under 5 vs 20% O 2 . Oxygen level interacted (P  2 ) production (pg/mL/10 5  cells). These decreased between 48 and 96 h for both O 2 levels but increased again by 144 h for cells cultured under 5% but not 20% O 2 . Progesterone (P 4 ) concentration (ng/mL/10 5  cells) was greater (P  2 at 96 and 144 h. Cell number increased (P  2 irrespective of temperature. However, higher doses of melatonin increased viable cell number at 40.0 °C but reduced viable cell number at 37.5 °C (P = 0.004). Melatonin also reduced (P  2 levels across all concentrations. E 2 increased with time in culture at both temperatures under 5% O 2 , however P 4 declined between 96 and 144 h at 40.0 but not 37.5 °C. Furthermore, melatonin interacted (P  4 at 37.5 °C but to reduce P 4 at 40.0 °C. Transcript expression for HSD3B1 paralleled temporal changes in P 4 production, and those for HBA were greater at 5% than 20% O 2 , suggesting that hemoglobin synthesis is responsive to changes in O 2 level. In conclusion, 5% O 2 enhances GC proliferation and reduces luteinization. Elevated temperatures under 5% O 2 reduce GC proliferation and P 4 production. Melatonin reduces ROS generation irrespective of O 2 level and temperature, but interacts with temperature in a dose dependent manner to influence GC proliferation and luteinization.