Growth factor action on ovarian function in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Insulin-like growth factors, their receptors, binding proteins, and binding protein proteases are important in normal and abnormal ovarian follicle development. IGFs stimulate ovarian cellular mitosis and steroidogenesis and inhibit apoptosis. Patterns of expression of IGF family members are characteristic of whether follicles are estrogen- or androgen-dominant. The PCOS follicle is androgen-dominant but does not appear to be atretic and has characteristic IGF family expression. Available data strongly support an intraovarian, as opposed to endocrine, role for this growth factor family in ovarian follicle growth, steroidogenesis, and atresia.
Giudice
L C
LC
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University Medical Center, California, USA.
D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017451:Receptors, Somatomedin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D017451:Receptors, Somatomedin; D013002:Somatomedins