A new isolation and culture method for granulosa cells

Granulosa cells are the cell population who have an increasing importance in the female genital system and reproduction. Thus, nowadays in vitro studies to address these cells are also gaining importance and attracts researcher’s attention. The aim of our study is to develop a more feasible, low-cost granulosa cell isolation and culture method compared to methods defined so far. Granulosa cells were isolated from follicular fluids obtained from both healthy women donors (n = 19) and polycystic ovary syndrome (n = 15) applied to in vitro fertilization treatment process. Granulosa cells were isolated by using Lymphosep® separation fluid that was not used for this purpose before. The isolated cells were cultured in suitable culture dishes with a mixture of BIO-AMFTM-1 and DMEM/F12 in the first seeding and only complete DMEM/F12 in the following feeds. Complete medium contains only 5% fetal calf serum, 4% L-glutamine and 1% penicillin–streptomycin-amphotericin. The new methods we have developed in granulosa cell isolation and in vitro culture have been successful. Reduction in supplement types and amount; improved the proliferation rate of the granulosa cells in culture. Our new methods of isolation and cell culture for granulosa cells from healthy women, have been also successful in samples of polycystic ovarian patients. With these developed methods, granulosa cells, which belong to humans and have an important role in the ovary, could be isolated and subsequently be maintained to reproduce (proliferate) more easily and cheaper.