Regulation of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 and progesterone secretion from human granulosa-luteal cells: effects of octreotide and insulin

Objective: To examine the effects of the synthetic somatostatin-analogue octreotide and human recombinant insulin on the release of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and P from human granulosa-luteal cells. Design: Primary culture of human granulosa-luteal cells. Setting: Academic research laboratory. Patient(s): Women undergoing oocyte retrieval for NF-ET because of tubal infertility. Intervention(s): Octreotide or insulin mere added to the cultures; sampling of culture medium was performed after 48 hours, Main Outcome Measure(s): Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 and P. Result(s): Octreotide significantly inhibited IGFBP-1 (58.8% compared with controls) and P release (65.1% compared with controls). Insulin abolished IGFBP-1 release while stimulating P release (200.7% compared with controls). There was a significant and positive correlation between IGFBP-1 and P levels. Conclusion(s): Octreotide and insulin have a significant effect on human granulosa-luteal cell function in terms of IGFBP-1 and P release. Our results suggest a local ovarian mechanism for the recently observed effects of octreotide in the treatment of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. (C) 1997 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.