title: Effects of androgen on progesterone secretion from granulosa cells obtained from antral follicles of rats.
abstract: The effects of testosterone (T) on the secretion of progesterone (P) by ovarian granulosa cells obtained from immature rats pre-treated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin were examined in vitro. T (10 nM-10 microM) enhanced both basal and FSH- or cAMP-stimulated secretion of P in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, T augmented FSH-stimulated cAMP production. The biphasic secretory pattern of P induced by continuous superfusion of granulosa cells with FSH was much exaggerated in the cultures supplemented with T. A stimulatory effect of T on secretion of P was observed only in the medium that contained serum. T affected neither the basal nor the FSH-stimulated secretion on 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone. Androsterone, a non-aromatizable and low-potency androgen, at a similar concentration as T mimicked the effects of T on the secretion of progesterone. These results indicate that androgen stimulates mature granulosa cells to enhance the secretion of P. This androgen action extends either up- or down-stream of cAMP in the process of steroidogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology, University of Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kadota
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D000738:Androsterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D000738:Androsterone; D000242:Cyclic AMP