Stage-specific expression of androgen receptor, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, and anti-Müllerian hormone type II receptor in single, isolated, human preantral follicles: relevance to polycystic ovaries.
BACKGROUND
Recent evidence indicates that the increase in follicle numbers seen in polycystic ovary syndrome occurs early in folliculogenesis, with androgens being a likely causative candidate. In primates and sheep, androgen excess in utero results in ovarian changes similar to those in polycystic ovary syndrome. There is also increasing interest in the role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in early folliculogenesis because AMH knockout mice have an early depletion of their stock of primordial follicles. Initiation and early folliculogenesis may therefore be under negative control by AMH and positive control by androgens.


OBJECTIVE
Because AMH signals exclusively through its type II receptor (AMHRII), the aim of this study was to determine and colocalize the stage-specific expression of AMHRII, androgen receptor (AR), and FSH receptor (FSHR) mRNA in individual, well-characterized preantral follicles.


METHODS
Follicles were isolated from human ovarian cortex obtained from either oophorectomies or cortical biopsies at cesarean section. Expression of AR, FSHR, and AMHRII mRNA was determined using a nested RT-PCR protocol.


RESULTS
AR mRNA was not detected in any primordial follicles but was from the transitional stage onward. The number of AR-positive follicles increased at each progressive growth stage. The expression of AR preceded that of FSHR, and only a small percentage of primary follicles expressed FSHR. AMHRII expression was rarely detected.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to identify the expression of AR in human transitional follicles. Results suggest a role for androgens in promoting early follicle growth and challenging the hypothesis that AMH exerts a direct, inhibitory effect on follicles at this stage.
Rice
Suman
S
Basic Medical Sciences, Jenner Wing, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom. srice@sgul.ac.uk
Ojha
Kamal
K
Whitehead
Saffron
S
Mason
Helen
H
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
C410798:AR protein, human; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; C084621:anti-Mullerian hormone receptor