Effect of low intensity laser beam on steroid dehydrogenase activity and steroid hormone production in cultured porcine granulosa cells.

Effect of the beam emitted by a helium-neon (He-Ne) laser of a low power (2.8 mW) on the activity of delta 5, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta 5, 3 beta-HSD), as well as on the estradiol and progesterone production was studied in cultured granulosa cells obtained from porcine ovary. It has been found that the laser beam stimulates the activity of steroid dehydrogenase, increases estrogen levels and exerts a variable influence on the progesterone level. In control cultures the highest level of both hormones occurred simultaneously, while in cultures exposed to the laser beam progesterone level rose at a slower rate and reached maximum when the estrogen level dropped. Hyperplasia and epithelisation were observed only in the experimental cultures. The most intense cytochemical reaction for delta 5, 3 beta-HSD, as well as the most pronounced increase in estrogen and progesterone level occurred in cells exposed to a pulsating beam for 60 sec.