Growth hormone stimulates androsterone synthesis by rat theca-interstitial cells.
The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of growth hormone (GH) on androsterone synthesis. This effect was analyzed in theca-interstitial cells obtained from immature female rats. The addition of GH to the cultures significantly stimulated androsterone (A) synthesis in a dose- and time-dependent way and this effect was not due to a cellular number increase. When added to the hCG cultures, GH significantly enhanced androgen production even though it did not synergyze with the chorionic gonadotropin. The addition of antibodies anti-IGF-I to the GH cultures did not modify the growth hormone effect suggesting that GH probably does not require IGF-I to achieve its effect on A production. Finally, no effect of GH on cAMP levels were observed in the cultures at the end of the treatment. Our results demonstrate that GH is able to significantly induce A synthesis by rat theca-interstitial cells. Since the presence of GH and its receptors in the ovary is now well established the present data strongly suggest a potential relevance of GH in reproductive biology.
Apa
R
R
Istituto di Ginecologia ed Ostetricia, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy.
Caruso
A
A
Andreani
C L
CL
Miceli
F
F
Lazzarin
N
N
Mastrandrea
M
M
Ronsisvalle
E
E
Mancuso
S
S
Lanzone
A
A
D000738:Androsterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone; D000738:Androsterone; D000242:Cyclic AMP