Comparative stimulatory effect of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH agonist upon pulsatile human chorionic gonadotrophin secretion in superfused placental explants: Reversible inhibition by a GnRH antagonist

E. R. Barneal*, M. Kaplan, Z. Naor

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

The roles of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) and a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) (o-Ala6-Met-Leu7-ro-N-ethylamide) in controlling pulsatile human choriomc gonadotrophin (HCG) secretion by superfused placental explants in the first trimester were examined. One minute pulses of both GnRH and GnRHa had a biphasic effect upon pulsatile HCG secretion. GnRHa was maximally effective at 10-10 M concentration, at 10-11 M the effect was mild while at 10-8 M, no effect was noted. GnRH exerted a maximal stimulatory effect at 10-8 M; at 10-10 M no effect was seen, while at 10-7 M the effect was mildly stimulatory. This was evaluated by carrying out both a between and within channel type of analysis. The effect of a GnRH antagonist GnRH(ant) upon GnRH and GnRHa-induced HCG secretion was examined. Explants were incubated overnight with 10-8 M GnRH(ant), which was also continuously administered during superfusion. The addition of 1-min pulses of GnRH and GnRHa during the exposure to GnRH(ant) failed to stimulate pulsatile HCG secretion. This effect was reversible since the response to GnRH was restored within 10 min after stopping GnRH(ant) administration. In addition, by the third cycle, co-administration of GnRH(ant) for 2 min together with 10-10 M GnRHa for 1 min completely blocked the GnRHa-induced effect. Continuous administration of 10-8 M GnRH(ant) decreased spontaneous HCG pulse amplitude and the area under the curve but failed to modify pulse frequency. In conclusion, GnRH appears to exert a receptor-dependent stimulatory effect upon pulsatile HCG secretion in superfusion in the first trimester placenta. Also, GnRH(ant) may reduce spontaneous HCG pulsatility by blocking endogenous GnRH action.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1063-1069
Number of pages7
JournalHuman Reproduction
Volume6
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1991

Funding

FundersFunder number
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation United States of America
Office of the Chief Scientist, Ministry of Health

    Keywords

    • Culture
    • Gonadotrophin releasing hormone
    • Human chorionic gonadotrophin
    • Placenta
    • Superfusion

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