Context: In normally cycling women, LH receptor mRNA expression undergoes transient down-regulation following the LH surge. The same phenomenon is also seen during a hormonally-induced ovarian cycle where the LH receptor mRNA expression is down regulated in response to the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin. Although the granulosa cells isolated from the follicular aspirates at this stage show a decline in the expression of LH receptor mRNA, this diminished receptor expression returns to control levels upon culturing in serum-containing medium.

Objective: To understand the mechanism of hCG-induced loss of LH receptor mRNA expression, a cytosolic fraction (S100) was isolated from the granulosa cells and its ability to bind LH receptor mRNA was assayed by performing RNA electrophoretic mobility gel shift analysis.

Results: The results showed that the mRNA binding activity of the S100 fraction was induced in the freshly isolated granulosa cells (day 1) from the follicular aspirates collected from women who had been injected with hCG to induce ovulation. The LH receptor mRNA expression in granulosa cells on day 1, as assessed by real time PCR and Northern blot analysis, was significantly suppressed. Both the expression of LH receptor mRNA and RNA binding activity in the S100 fraction were then assessed after culturing granulosa cells for 4 days. The results showed that the LH receptor mRNA expression was significantly higher on day 4 compared with that seen on day 1. However, the RNA binding activity of the S100 fraction was significantly decreased on day 4 compared with that seen on day 1. These results show an increased association of RNA binding protein during LH receptor mRNA down-regulation.

Conclusion: The present results support the notion that LH receptor mRNA expression in the human ovaries is regulated by an RNA binding protein.