[The effect of sex steroids on human ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the molecular mechanism of human follicular atresia by exploring the effects of estrogen, androgen on human granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis.


METHODS
Ovarian GC DNA fragments of both atretic and developing follicles before and after estrogen (1 microgram/ml), androgen (1 microgram/ml) treatments were analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The expression of bcl-2 mRNA was also determined by northern blotting in GC of developing follicle after sex steroids addition.


RESULTS
Internucleosomal DNA cleavage occurred in granulosa cells in atretic follicles and after androgen treatment. In granulosa cells of developing follicles, estrogen treatment increased the expression of bcl-2 mRNA by 45%, while androgen treatment downregulated the expression of bcl-2 mRNA by 35%.


CONCLUSIONS
Androgens increase apoptotic DNA fragmentation, and decrease the expression of bcl-2 mRNA in GC of developing follicles, while estrogens produce the opposite effect. Therefore, expression of bcl-2 may be involved in the mechanism of follicular development and atresia.
Wu
J
J
Third Clinical Medical College, Beijing Medical University.
Zhang
L
L
Li
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology*
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens