Effect of corticosteroids on estradiol and testosterone secretion by granulosa cells in culture

: Effect of corticosteroids on testosterone and estradiol secretion of FSH-primed pig granulosa cells were studied. Cortisol, corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone, deoxycorticosterone acetate and aldosterone enhanced testosterone synthesis, whereas cortisone and dexamethasone were found without effect. Maximal production of testosterone by granulosa cells cultured in delta-4-androstenedione supplemented medium was not further enhanced by addition of DOC. On the contrary, an inhibitory effect of corticosteroids on estradiol secretion in the presence of delta 4-androstenedione was observed. The inhibitory effect of corticosteroids on aromatisation was compared with that of the known aromatase inhibitor 4-androsten-17 beta-ol-3-one acetate. The addition of 4-androsten-17 beta-ol-3-one acetate and DOC to the culture medium supplemented with delta 4-androstenedione resulted in a marked decrease of estradiol synthesis. DOC decreased dbcAMP stimulated estradiol secretion. The results support the idea that corticosteroids may act as modulators of granulosa cell steroidogenesis and thus determine, at least partially, further follicular development or atresia.