[The respective roles of gonadotrophins on follicular growth and oocyte maturation].
Around 400 follicles sequentially mature and ovulate during an average woman's reproductive lifetime. Follicular growth to the stage of antrum formation is independent of gonadotrophic stimulation and might be dependent of androgen exposure. During the follicular phase, effects of LH must be considered according to the stages of follicular development: in the early follicular phase, LH acts through specific receptors, constitutively present on thecal cells, for stimulating androgen production. Androgens seem to be positively involved in the folliculogenesis in primates. Indeed, a positive correlation has been recently established between androgen receptor expression and follicular cell proliferation. Nevertheless, LH, beyond a certain ceiling level, suppresses granulosa proliferation, and initiates atresia or premature luteinisation. The development-related response to LH shown by the pre-ovulatory follicle raises the possibility that exogenous LH might be used as an adjunct to therapy with exogenous FSH in clinical ovulation induction regimens where the aim is to induce monovulation. Rec LH will allow the opportunity to provide LH support in a flexible and responsive way, with the possibility of fine tuning FSH action on follicular development. Availability of pure, standalone LH will allow a re-evaluation of follicular stimulation based on physiological principles, leading to new treatment protocols.
Hillier
S
S
Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, UK.
D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000858:Anovulation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000502:physiology*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011323:Primates / Q000502:physiology; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000728:Androgens; D006062:Gonadotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone