INHIBITORY EFFECT OF GOSSYPOL ON HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN (HCG)-INDUCED PROGESTERONE SECRETION IN CULTURED BOVINE LUTEAL CELLS

Inhibitory effects of gossypol on the female reproductive system have been recently reported. This study investigated a possible site of gossypol action on progesterone synthesis. Bovine luteal cells were cultured with hCG and forskolin in the presence or absence of gossypol. At 10 μg/ml, gossypol significantly inhibited hCG- and forskolin-stimulated progesterone secretion and intracellular cAMP formation; at 20 μg/ml, gossypol completely abolished the stimulative effect of hCG and forskolin. The results suggest that adenylate cyclase may be a site of gossypol action on steroidogenesis of bovine luteal cells. © 1990.