OBJECTIVE:We examined the effects of progesterone and cortisol on [3H] thymidine incorpo ration into DNA, total DNA content, and [3H] proline incorporation into collagen using a bone organ culture system.
METHODS:The study consisted of nine experiments conducted at the University of Connecticut after approval by the animal care committee. Fetal rat half calvaria were cultured in the presence of progesterone (10-5 to 10-15 mol/L) and/or cortisol (10-7 mol/L). Statistical analysis was carried out by analysis of variance.
RESULTS:There was a biphasic increase in [3H] thymidine incorporation and DNA content of the tissue sample with progesterone treatment, with peaks at both high and low concentrations. Significant increases in [3H] proline incorporation were noted at concentrations of 10-6 to 10-10 mol/L of progesterone. Similar responses were observed in the presence of cortisol.
CONCLUSIONS: Progesterone increased [3H] thymidine incorporation into DNA, total DNA content, and [3H] proline incorporation into collagen proteins in cultured fetal rat calvaria over a wide range of progesterone concentrations in the presence and absence of cortisol. (J Soc Gynecol Invest 1994;1:302-9)
Dequeker J., DeMuylder E.Long-term progesterone treatment and bone remodelling in premenopausal women: A longitudinal study. Maturitas1982 ;4:309-13.
2.
Lindsay R., Hart DM, Purdie D., Feguson MM, Clark AS, Kraszews KiL. Comparative effects of estrogen and progesterone on bone loss in postmenopausal women. Clin Sci Mol Med1978;54:183-95.
3.
Grece EO, Weenshellbaum L., Simmons R.Effective therapy of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis with medroxyprogesterone acetate. Calcif Tissue Int1990;46:294-9.
4.
Lau Wkh, Wang SP, Linkhart TA, Demarest KT, Baylink DJPicomolar norethindrone in vitro stimulates the cell proliferation and activity of a human osteosarcoma cell line and increases bone collagen synthesis without an effect on bone resorption. J Bone Miner Res1994;9:695-703.
5.
Scheven Baa , Damen CA, Hamilton NJ, Verhaar Hjj, Duursma SAStimulatory effects of estrogen and progesterone on proliferation and differentiation of normal human osteoblast-like cells in vitro. Biochem Biophys Res Commun1992 ;186:54-60.
6.
Raisz LG, Fall PMBiphasic effects of prostaglandin E2 on bone formation in cultured fetal rat calvariae: Interaction with cortisol. Endocrinology1990;126:1654-9.
7.
Diegelmann RF , Peterkofsky B.Collagen biosynthesis during connective tissue development in the chick embryo. Dev Biol1972;28:443.
8.
Chen TL, Aronow L., Veldman D.Glucocorticoid receptors and inhibition of bone cell growth in primary culture . Endocrinology1977;100:619-28.
9.
Manolagas SC , Anderson DCDetection of high affinity glucocorticoid binding in rat bone. J Endocrinol1978;76: 379-80.
10.
Feldman DL, Dziak R., Koehler R., Stern P.Cytoplasmic glucocorticoid binding proteins in bone cells. Endocrinology1975;96:29-36.
11.
Grece EO, Simmons R., Baylink DJ, Halovan BP, Spencer MEEffects of medroxyprogesterone acetate on some parameters of calcium metabolism in patients with glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis. Bone Miner1991;13:153-61.
12.
Lukert B., Mador A., Raisz LG, Kream BEThe role of DNA synthesis in the responses of fetal rat calvariae to cortisol . J Bone Miner Res1991;6:453-9.
13.
Canalis E., Raisz LGEffect of sex steroids on bone collagen synthesis in vitro. Calci Tissue Int1978;25:105-10.
14.
Pensler JM, Radosevich JA, Highbee R., Langman CBOsteoclast isolated from membranous bone in children exhibit nuclear estrogen and progesterone receptors. J Bone Miner Res1990;5:797-800.
15.
Gallagher JC , Kable WT, Goldgar D.Effect of progestin therapy on cortical and trabecular bone: Comparison with estrogen. Am Med1991;90:171-8.
16.
Snead DB, Weltman A., Weltman J., et al. Reproductive hormones and bone mineral density in women runners . J Appl Physiol1992;72:2149-56.
17.
Prior JCTrabecular bone loss is associated with abnormal luteal phase length; endogenous progesterone deficiency may be a risk factor for osteoporosis. Int Proc J1989;1: 70-3.
18.
Prior JC, Vigna YM, Burgess AE, Cunningham N.Marathon training, in the absence of luteal phase change, is not a risk factor for trabecular bone loss. J Bone Miner Res1988;3:585.
19.
Cundy T., Evans M., Roberts H., Wattie D., Ames R., Reid IRBone density in women receiving depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception . BMJ1991;303:13-6.
20.
Burnett CC, Reddi AHInfluence of estrogen and progesterone on matrix induced endochondral bone formation. Calcif Tissue Int1983;35:609-14.
21.
Tremollieres FA, Strong DD, Baylink DJ, Mohan S.Progesterone and promegestone stimulate human bone cell proliferation and insulin-like growth factor II production. Acta Endocrinol1992 ;126:329-37.
22.
Snow GR, Anderson C.The effects of 17 β-estradiol and progestogen on trabecular bone remodeling in oophorectomized dogs. Calcif Tissue Int1986;39:198-205.
23.
Barbagallo M., Carbognani A., Palummeri E., et al. The comparative effect of ovarian hormone administration on bone mineral status in oophorectomized rats. Bone1989; 10:113-6.
24.
Barengolts ET, Gajardo HF, Rosol TJ, Kukreja SCComparison of the effects of estrogen and progesterone on post-ovariectomy bone loss in aged rats. J Bone Miner Res1989; 45:467-73.
