title: Disordered follicle development.
abstract: Alterations of ovarian follicle morphology and function have been well documented in women with PCOS. These include increased numbers of growing preantral follicles, failure of follicle growth beyond the mid-antral stage, evidence of granulosa call degeneration, and theca cell hyperplasia. Functional abnormalities include paradoxical granulosa cell hyperresponsiveness to FSH which is clinically linked to ovarian hyperstimulation during ovulation induction. In addition, there is likely a primary theca cell defect that accounts for the majority of excess androgen production in this disorder. The precise mechanisms responsible for altered follicle function are not completely clear. However, several factors appear to influence normal advancement of follicle development as well as impair ovarian steroidogenesis. These include intra- as well as extraovarian influences that distort normal ovarian growth and disrupt steroid production by follicle cells.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0633, United States. rjchang@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: R Jeffrey
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cook-Andersen
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D007328:Insulin; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone