title: Androgens promote insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor-I receptor gene expression in the primate ovary.
abstract: It has recently been shown that androgens increase the growth of immature follicles in the primate ovary. In the present study the effect of androgens on ovarian insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-I receptor gene expression was investigated. The study groups included five follicular phase, placebo-treated controls, and four testosterone- and three dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-treated rhesus monkeys. The treatment period was 5 days. Both testosterone and DHT treatment resulted in significant, 3-4-fold increases in IGF-I mRNA concentration in granulosa, thecal and interstitial compartments. Likewise, both androgens induced significant increases in the amount of IGF-I receptor mRNA, most notably in thecal cells and less markedly in granulosa and interstitium (P < 0.05). These changes in amounts of IGF system mRNA were documented in growing follicles up to the small antral (</=1 mm diameter) stage. Larger follicles were too few in number for significant comparisons. By contrast, amounts of ovarian insulin receptor mRNA were not appreciably altered by androgen treatment. These data suggest that IGF-I and its cognate receptor may mediate androgen-induced ovarian follicular and thecal-interstitial growth.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Endocrinology Branch, NICHD, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vendola
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bondy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000235:genetics*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D010919:Placebos; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1