Androgens amplify beta-adrenergic and FSH stimulation of granulosa cells.
The effects of androgens on granulosa cell stimulation by isoproterenol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined. Two functional parameters of granulosa cell stimulation were monitored: (a) activity of a transfected proopiomelanocortin (POMC) promoter and (b) production of progesterone. Treatment with the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, stimulated steroidogenesis, and both isoproterenol and FSH appeared to enhance POMC promoter activity. The non-aromatizable androgen, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), produced no effect on either parameter, but it potentiated the steroidogenic response to isoproterenol. Preliminary data also indicated a potentiation by DHT of the FSH-mediated increase in POMC promoter activity; results with a combination of DHT and isoproterenol were suggestive of potentiation. A possible role for androgen amplification of adrenergic stimulation in polycystic ovarian syndrome is discussed.
Young
S L
SL
Division of Reproductive Biology and Behavior, Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Beaverton 97006.
Melner
M H
MH
D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010957:Plasmids; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000235:genetics; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D014162:Transfection
D000728:Androgens; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase; D007545:Isoproterenol