Involvement of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in the function of follicular granulosa cells

ObjectiveTo evaluate the role of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in steroidogenesis by luteinized granulosa cells (GCs) and to examine the effect of FSH, E2, and P on the production of M-CSF by GCs.DesignIn vitro experimental study.SettingUniversity hospital with an IVF–intracytoplasmic sperm injection program.Patient(s)Forty infertile women who underwent intracytoplasmatic sperm injection.Intervention(s)The GCs obtained from these patients during oocyte retrieval were cultured and then treated with different concentrations of M-CSF, FSH, E2, or P for 72 hours.Main Outcome Measure(s)The M-CSF concentrations were determined by ELISA, and the concentrations of E2 and P were measured by enzyme immunoassay.Result(s)The M-CSF secretion of GCs was enhanced by FSH or E2 in vitro in a dose-dependent manner but was unaffected by P. On the other hand, M-CSF elicited a production of E2 and P by GCs in a dose-dependent manner in the presence or absence of FSH.Conclusion(s)The results suggest that the growth factor M-CSF might have an important role in ovarian function.