Porcine Granulosa Cell Production of Plasminogen Activator: Disparity between the Effects of hCG and pFSH

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Abstract
Fibrinolytic activity in porcine follicular fluid and plasminogen activator production by porcine granulosa cells in response to gonadotropins is described. Fibrinolytic activity was determined using a solid phase assay in which 125 I-fibrinogen was coupled to latex beads. Urokinase plus plasminogen served as the standard. Porcine follicular fluid contained protease inhibitors as evidenced by its ability to inhibit the activity of an urokinase-plasminogen standard. Removal of these inhibitors by acid precipitation revealed plasminogen-dependent and independent fibrinolytic activity. Cultured granulosa cells produced plasminogen activator in amounts that increased over time. This pattern was most significant in cells stimulated by hCG. Cells incubated with hCG produced significantly more plasminogen activator when compared to those cells cultured in absence of gonadotropin. The enhancement was most marked during the second 48 hrs in culture (p = 0.032). FSH was found to have no stimulatory effect on plasminogen activator production by cultured porcine granulosa cells.