P-678 Cabergoline has inhibitory effects on FSH-induced cell differentiation and estrogen secretion in a primary culture system of rat ovarian granulosa cells
Authors: Mori Y , Kishi H , Kasahara Y , Okamoto A 
Published: July 2024

Study question

How does cabergoline have effects on cell differentiation and hormone secretion induced by FSH stimulation in ovarian granulosa cells?

Summary answer

Cabergoline suppresses LH receptor expression and Estradiol (E2) secretion in primary cultures of rat ovarian granulosa cells by inhibiting cAMP production induced by FSH stimulation.

What is known already

Cabergoline is a dopamine receptor 2 agonist that has been used to treat hyperprolactinemia and, more recently, to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Although it has been previously reported that cabergoline suppresses E2 and Progesterone secretion induced by FSH stimulation in a primary culture system of rat ovarian granulosa cells, but the effect on LH receptor expression has not been investigated. It has also been reported that the activation of dopamine receptor 2 suppresses VEGF secretion and reduces the incidence of early-onset OHSS by inhibiting the VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway in research using human luteinized granulosa cells.

Study design, size, duration

We used a primary culture system of ovarian granulosa cells obtained from immature female rats treated with diethylstilbestrol to examine the effect of cabergoline addition on the changes in ovarian granulosa cells induced by FSH stimulation.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

FSH and cabergoline were added alone or co-added to a primary culture system of rat ovarian granulosa cells, and the changes induced by them were measured and compared. (1) mRNA expression of Lhcgr, Cyp19a1, and Fshr by RT-qPCR (2) E2 concentration in the culture medium (3) Measurement of hCG binding on the cell surface (4) cAMP concentration

Main results and the role of chance

Co-addition of cabergoline suppressed each of the changes induced by FSH stimulation as follows. (1) The mRNA expression levels of Lhcgr, Cyp19a1, and Fshr decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (0.01-10 µM) of co-added cabergoline compared to FSH alone. In the 10 µM of co-added cabergoline group, they decreased to 14%, 9%, and 49% of FSH alone, respectively. (2) E2 concentration in the culture media also decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (1-10 µM) of co-added cabergoline compared to FSH alone. In the 10 µM of co-added cabergoline group, it decreased to 49% of FSH alone. (3) The amount of hCG binding on the cell surface also decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (0.1-10 µM) of co-added cabergoline compared to FSH alone. In the 10 µM of co-added cabergoline group, it decreased to 7% of FSH alone. (4) FSH-stimulated cAMP production decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (0.01-1µM) of co-added cabergoline compared to FSH alone. In the 1µM of co-added cabergoline group, it decreased to 50% of FSH alone. These results suggest that cabergoline suppresses LH receptor and aromatase expression and E2 production by inhibiting cAMP production induced by FSH stimulation.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Since this is an in vitro experiment using a rat primary culture system, the results of this research cannot be considered directly applicable to humans.

Wider implications of the findings

Our findings imply that cabergoline administration during the follicular phase may inhibit ovarian granulosa cell differentiation and estrogen secretion. In women taking relatively high doses of cabergoline, attention may need to be paid regarding the effects of cabergoline on follicular development and estrogen secretion.

Trial registration number

not applicable