title: Developmentally regulated responses of human granulosa cells to insulin-like growth factors (IGFs): IGF-I and IGF-II action mediated via the type-I IGF receptor.
abstract: In experimental animal models, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) have been found to be more potent stimulators of ovarian function than insulin. In human theca cells, however, insulin, IGF-I, and IGF-II have similar effects on androgen production. The relative effects of insulin and IGFs on human granulosa cell steroidogenesis is unknown. Furthermore, it is unclear whether effects of IGF-II on steroidogenesis are mediated by the type-I or type-II IGF receptor. The effects of insulin, IGF-I, and IGF-II on human granulosa cell steroidogenesis were compared in vitro. As expected, insulin, IGF-I, and IGF-II enhanced steroidogenesis. Previously, IGF-II has been shown to enhance granulosa cell steroid production after insulin preincubation. In this study, an effect of IGF-II, independent of insulin priming, also was observed. In granulosa cell cultures from small antral follicles (< or = 13 mm), insulin and IGF-I stimulated steroid production to a similar degree, whereas IGF-II was less effective. In contrast, IGFs were more effective than insulin (IGF-I > IGF-II > insulin) in granulosa cells isolated from preovulatory follicles. IGF-I and IGF-II actions were mediated via the type-1 IGF receptor. The increased responsiveness of mature granulosa cells to IGFs may be an important mechanism by which granulosa cells increase their steroidogenic output in the preovulatory follicle.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College School of Medicine at St. Mary's, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franks
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000254:growth & development; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000502:physiology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1