Granulosa cell stimulation of thecal androgen synthesis.
The role of granulosa cells on porcine follicular androgen synthesis was studied. Granulosa cells were cultured for 24 h either in Eagle's minimum essential medium (MEM) or in MEM plus follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; 1 microgram/mL). Thecal preparations were cultured with or without luteinizing hormone (LH), either in MEM, 50% "spent media" from granulosa cells control (MA) or 50% "spent media" from granulosa cells incubated with FSH (MB). In the absence of LH, MB stimulated accumulation of both delta 4-androstenedione (twofold) and testosterone (threefold). MB was found to contain high levels of C21-steroids, including progesterone and material which behaves chromatographically and immunologically like pregnenolone. These amounts of C21-steroids were able to stimulate thecal androgen production. The results suggest that granulosa cells contribute to thecal androgen production by providing steroid substrate. This would provide a means for granulosa cells to control the availability of aromatizable androgens.
D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011284:Pregnenolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D000728:Androgens; D003470:Culture Media; D011374:Progesterone; D011284:Pregnenolone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone