The mechanisms of energy balance between oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in human ovarian granulosa cells

Objective: This study investigated the interplay between mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in human ovarian granulosa cells by analyzing changes induced by the mitochondrial inhibitor carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) and the glycolysis inhibitor bromopyruvic acid (BA). Methods: Mural granulosa cells (mGCs) were isolated from tubal factor infertility patients and cultured. Cells were divided into control, CCCP (10 µM), and BA (0.5 mM) groups. Mitochondrial function was assessed via mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. Glycolysis-related gene expression (HIF-1α, GLUT1, LDHA, PFKP) was measured by qRT-PCR after CCCP treatment. Glucose consumption and cell viability (CCK-8 assay) were evaluated in control and CCCP groups at 24, 48, and 72 h. Results: > 0.05). Conclusion: Human mGCs utilize both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis for energy metabolism. Inhibition of one pathway triggers compensatory upregulation of the other, indicating collaborative regulation between these pathways to maintain cellular function and follicular homeostasis.