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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Direct action of leptin, obestatin and ginkgo on hormone release by luteinised human ovarian granulosa cells

Alexander V. Sirotkin https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9364-3512 A * , Adam Tarko A , Zuzana Fabova A , Miloš Mlynček A , Jan Kotwica B , Saleh Alwasel C and Abdel Halim Harrath C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia.

B Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland.

C Department of Zoology, King Saud University, College of Science, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

* Correspondence to: asirotkin@ukf.sk

Handling Editor: Jennifer Juengel

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 34(18) 1128-1134 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD22154
Published online: 31 October 2022

© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context: The role of metabolic hormones, medicinal plants and their interrelationships in the control of human reproductive processes are poorly understood.

Aims: To examine how leptin, obestatin and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) affect human ovarian hormone release.

Methods: We analysed the influence of leptin and obestatin alone and in combination with ginkgo extract on cultured human ovarian granulosa cells. The release of progesterone (P), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin F (PGF) were analysed by enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Key results: Leptin addition promoted the release of all the measured hormones. Obestatin stimulated the release of P, IGF-I and OT and inhibited PGF output. Ginkgo suppressed P, IGF-I and OT and promoted PGF release. Furthermore, ginkgo changed the stimulatory action of leptin on PGF to an inhibitory one.

Conclusions: Leptin and obestatin are involved in the control of human ovarian hormone release and ginkgo influences their function.

Implications: Leptin and obestatin could be useful as stimulators of human ovarian cell functions. The suppressive influence of ginkgo on ovarian function should lead to the development of ginkgo-containing drugs.

Keywords: ginkgo, IGF-I, metabolic hormones, ovary, oxytocin, progesterone, prostaglandin F, reproductive health.


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