Effects of hCG, asialo-hCG and the subunits of hCG upon luteinization of monkey granulosa cell cultures.

In order to determine the structural features of the human chorionic gonadotropin molecule (hCG) required for its action on a uniform population of intact ovarian cells, the ability of hCG α and β-subunits, and desialylated (asialo) hCG to bring about morphological luteinization and stimulate progestin secretion in rhesus monkey granulosa cells has been examined. Most of the experiments were carried out in cultures of granulosa cells obtained from monkeys treated with pregnant mares serum gonadotropin (PMS) to produce enlarged ovaries containing follicles of various sizes. Granulosa cells obtained from PMStreated monkeys behave in culture like granulosa cells obtained from medium-sized follicles of untreated monkeys: they fail to luteinize when cultured in the absence of pituitary gonadotropins, but will luteinize in the presence of small doses of LH or FSH. The activity of the hCG and its derivatives was also tested in cultures of granulosa cells obtained from untreated follicular phase and human menopau...