Evidence for a Role of Androgens in Follicular Maturation

Abstract

In hypophysectomized immature female rats (HIFR), the ovarian weight response to subcutaneously implanted diethylstilbestrol capsules (DESC) is inhibited by small doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This effect, reproduced by equivalent doses of interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) but not by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), is inhibited by treatment with antiandrogens. These data implicate gonadotropic stimulation of interstitial cell androgen production in the control of follicular maturation in rats.

Regulation of inhibin production by bovine ovarian cells in vitro

“…Androgens acting locally within the ovary may be involved in the process of follicular atresia (Louvet, Harman, Schreiber & Ross, 1975;Hillier & Ross, 1979). Androgens may also promote follicular atresia through stimulating granulosa cell inhibin production which would act to inhibit pituitary FSH production.…”

Androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone in ovarian vein plasma and androstenedione in peripheral arterial plasma during the bovine oestrous cycle

“…Androgens appear to be involved in the regulation of follicular growth (Louvet, Harman, Schreiber & Ross, 1975) and in the regulation of the hypothalmic-pituitary axis (Martensz, Baird, Scaramuzzi & Van Look, 1976). Short (1962) isolated androgens from the bovine ovary and Shemesh & Hansel (1974), Kanchev, Dobson, Ward & Fitzpatrick (1976) and noted increases in peripheral testosterone concentrations before oestrus and corpus luteum (CL) regression, but no relationships were found with androstenedione during the oestrous cycle of the cow.…”

Hormonal regulation of preovulatory follicle maturation in the rat

“…1). Most of these follicles are greater than 200 µ in diameter (Louvet, Harman, Schreiber & Ross, 1975b) but rarely exceed 400 µ (Erickson & Hsueh, 1978). In the intact cyclic adult the Graafian follicles that will ovulate during the next oestrus develop from the preantral follicles which fall within this size range at the beginning of a normal cycle (Lane & Davis, 1939;Boling, Blandau, Soderwell & Young, 1941;Pederson, 1970).…”