Effects of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on progesterone production by porcine granulosa cells in vitro

Abstract

We investigated the effects of a group of pharmaceutical agents commonly ingested by reproductive-aged women, acetaminophen and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), on progesterone (P) production by cultures of highly differentiated porcine granulosa cells. These compounds were added to cultures over a dose range of 10(-8) to 10(-5) M and P, and cell protein was measured after 24 hours. P production was suppressed by acetaminophen, fenoprofen, and sulindac to a maximum of 81%, 76%, and 71% of control, respectively. P production was enhanced by butazolidin at all doses tested to a maximum of 140% of control. Granulosa cell protein was suppressed by butazolidin and salicylic acid to a maximum of 81% of controls. These data imply that acetaminophen and several NSAID have the potential for clinical reproductive toxicity with differing individual effects on reproductive tract tissues, suggesting further selective testing in vivo