Modulation of in vitro DNA synthesis in the chicken ovarian granulosa cell follicular hierarchy by follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone

Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA. amcelroy@vt.edu

Folliculogenesis in domestic hens appears to be controlled by numerous factors, particularly the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The involvement of LH in follicular steroidogenesis has been described in some detail; however, the specific role of FSH has remained elusive. In 3 experiments, the effects of ovine (o)- or chicken (c)-derived FSH (oFSH, cFSH) or LH (oLH, cLH) were evaluated on in vitro DNA synthesis [3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation], indicative of cellular proliferation, of granulosa cells from F1, F3, or F5-6 preovulatory follicles. In experiment 1, oFSH or cFSH stimulated (P < 0.05) and oLH or cLH decreased DNA synthesis by F1 granulosa cells. In experiment 2, oFSH resulted in concentration-related changes in DNA synthesis by F5-6 granulosa cells; however, no significant changes were observed in F1 or F3 granulosa cells. No effect of oLH was observed on granulosa cell proliferation from any of the follicles. Similar to oFSH, cFSH resulted in concentration-related increases in DNA synthesis in granulosa cells from F5-6 follicles with smaller magnitude changes in proliferation of F1 or F3 granulosa cells. Granulosa cells from F5-6 or F3 follicles had small increases in DNA synthesis in response to cLH. These data support the proposed role for FSH in granulosa cell proliferation, possibly contributing to follicle growth, and suggest that in vitro 3H-TdR incorporation by granulosa cells may provide a sensitive and selective bioassay for chicken gonadotropin preparations. Furthermore, data suggest that proliferative responsiveness of granulosa cells to FSH or LH may differ depending on position of follicles in the preovulatory hierarchy.