To examine androgenic potential of polycystic ovaries (PCO), slices of follicular and stromal tissues from the same ovary obtained by wedge resection from two markedly, two moderately and one slightly enlarged PCO were incubated separately with [1-14C] acetate. Incorporation into progestins, androgens and estrogens was assessed by reverse dilution technique with recrystallization to constant specific activity. Although the greatest incorporation into androstenedione with much lesser incorporation into testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone was observed with all the five follicles, the amount of incorporation into the three steroids increased gradedly with histologically defined magnitude of thecal cell hyperplasia in atretic follicles. Only the stromal tissues from two markedly enlarged PCO produced androgens with a similar pattern of 14C distribution among the steroids, thereby incorporation into the three androgens remaining 5.5% or less of that by the follicles from the same ovary. Preoperative levels of plasma androstenedione and urinary 17-ketosteroids were shown to increase in four patients with PCO containing atretic follicles with thecal cell hyperplasia, but not in one patient with slightly enlarged PCO containing atretic follicles without thecal cell hyperplasia. It is inferred that atretic follicles with thecal cell hyperplasia is a significant source of androgen overproduction by PCO.
To investigate the steroidogenic function of human corpora lutea, during the menstrual cycle, slices of seven corpora lutea obtained at various stages in the luteal phase were incubated with [1-14C]acetate; four of them were incubated with [4-14C]pregnenolone simultaneously. Incorporation or conversion of 14C radioactivity into progestins, androgens, and estrogens was assessed by a reverse dilution technique with recrystallization to constant specific activity. Distinct differences in function and morphology were observed before and after the completion of corpus luteum formation. In developing corpora lutea, 1) a marked increase in progesterone formation from [14C]acetate, 2) a transient increase in androgen formation, including dehydroepiandrosterone, with a concomitant decrease in estrogen formation from the two precursors, and 3) degeneration, followed by disappearance of thecal cells, were observed. In mature and regressing corpora lutea, 1) a drastic decrease in progesterone formation from [14C]acetate, 2) an increase in estrogen in contrast to a decrease in androgen formation from the two precursors, 3) a clear differentiation of theca lutein cells, and 4) a more relatively pronounced transformation of pregnenolone to estrogen in regressing than in mature corpora lutea were found. We conclude that marked qualitative and quantitative changes in steroidogenic function are closely related to structural changes during corpus luteal development and regression.
Slices of each of the six antral follicles at different stages of atresia isolated from ovaries of six patients with or without pretreatment with HCG before laparotomy, were incubated with [1-14C] acetate. Incorporation into progestins, androgens and oestrogens was assessed by the reverse dilution technique with recrystallization to constant specific activity. The greatest incorporation into androstenedione without any incorporation into progesterone was commonly observed throughout the morphologically defined three stages of atresia. In the first stage atretic follicles, characterized by coexistence of normally developed thecal cells with degenerating granulosa cells, a minute incorporation into oestradiol was identified. In the second state atretic follicles, showing hyperplasia and hypertrophy of thecal cells without granulosa cells, an increased incorporation into androgens was shown. Treatment with HCG induced similar but much pronounced changes in function and morphology. In the third stage atretic follicles, with subsiding thecal cells, a diminished incorporation into androstenedione was observed with 17-hydroxyprogesterone being the only other steroid formed in this stage. The observed qualitative and quantitative changes of steroidogenesis in vitro may be functional reflections of structural changes during the atretic process.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.