Androgens augment FSH-induced progesterone secretion by cultured rat granulosa cells.
Granulosa cells have been isolated from ovaries of estrogen-treated immature intact and hypophysectomized rats, and have been maintained in culture in a chemically-defined medium. Progesterone secretion by these cells was testosterone or 17beta-OH-5alpha-androstan-3-one (DHT), progesterone secretion was low or undetectable. However, the addition of testosterone or DHT together with FSH caused a dramatic 8- to 19-fold increase over that caused by FSH alone. On the other hand, luteinizing hormone (LH) alone had no effect on progesterone secretion, but produced a small stimulation when added together with testosterone. These results demonstrate synergism between androgens and FSH in the control of progesterone secretion by granulosa cells in culture.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone