PGF2 alpha is a metabolite of arachidonic acid that triggers regression of the corpus luteum. Recent animal studies have indicated that PGF2 alpha (FP) receptor messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) is expressed in the corpus luteum. To understand the regulation of the FP receptor in the ovary we have cloned a partial complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of the FP receptor from human granulosa cells obtained from women undergoing in vitro fertilization. The sequence of this cDNA is identical to the previously reported FP receptor sequences obtained from human uterine and placental cDNA libraries. Low levels of the FP receptor mRNA were observed in freshly isolated granulosa cells or in cultured granulosa-luteal (GL) cells, as detected by reverse transcriptase-PCR. hCG and 8-bromo-cAMP increased the steady state levels of the FP receptor mRNAs after incubation for 24-48 h, as detected by Northern blot hybridization. The stimulatory effect of hCG was concentration and culture stage dependent. Further, hCG and 8-bromo-cAMP increased binding of radiolabeled PGF2 alpha to intact GL cells. In contrast, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate inhibited basal as well as hCG- and 8-bromo-cAMP-induced FP receptor mRNA expression and binding of the radiolabeled ligand. In summary, hCG, 8-bromo-cAMP, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate modulate the expression of the FP receptor in human GL cells, which may represent a mechanism to regulate the responsiveness of the ovary to PGF2 alpha.