Growth factors modulate gonadotropin receptor induction in granulosa cell cultures.

Epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor inhibited follicle-stimulating hormone-dependent induction of luteinizing hormone receptor in cultured ovarian granulosa cells of the rat. In contrast, platelet-derived growth factor potentiated the induction of luteinizing hormone receptor by follicle-stimulating hormone. These results indicate that growth factors, well known for their effects on mitosis and DNA synthesis in cultured mammalian cells, are also able to modulate hormone-dependent differentiation in an endocrine target cell.