Granulosa cells as a source and target organ for tumor necrosis factor-α

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), a 17 kDa cytokine, is a product of activated macrophages which was recently shown to be produced by rat and bovine granulosa cells. In the present work, human granulosa cells derived from preovulatory follicles were used. It was demonstrated that human granulosa cells produce TNF-α (5-10 units/300 000 cells per 15 h). This production was increased by addition of follicle-stimulating hormone or by a combination of human chorionic gonadotrophin and CSF to the culture media. TNF was also found in bovine follicular fluid and the concentration was higher in the periovulatory than mid-cycle follicles. TNF-α was found to increase prostaglandin F-2α production by human granulosa cells (P < 0.001). We conclude that granulosa cells are both a source and target organ for TNF-α.