Effect of androgens on the development of mouse follicles growing in vitro.
The effects of androgens on ovarian follicular development have been investigated using a whole follicle culture system. Follicles obtained from mouse ovaries and cultured in the presence of anti-androgen serum grew more slowly than control follicles. This effect was reversed by the addition of androstenedione to the medium. A similar effect was obtained when receptor-mediated effects of androgens were blocked using an androgen receptor antagonist. When follicles were grown in concentrations of FSH that are marginal for follicle development, they developed faster in the presence of a non-aromatizable androgen, dihydroxytestosterone. The results indicate that androgens exert a direct, stimulatory role on the growth and development of mouse antral follicles, in vitro.
Department of Physiology, University Medical School, Edinburgh, UK.
A A
AA
Murray
R G
RG
Gosden
V
V
Allison
N
N
Spears
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000728:Androgens / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D000813:Anilides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009570:Nitriles; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014105:Tosyl Compounds
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens; D000813:Anilides; D007106:Immune Sera; D009570:Nitriles; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C053541:bicalutamide