Androgen Action in the Ovary
August 2018
in “
Frontiers in Endocrinology
”
androgens estradiol follicle development granulosa cell proliferation preantral follicles antral follicles apoptosis mono-follicular ovulation androgen signaling genomic effects non-genomic effects polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS intra-ovarian androgen excess epigenetic modifications follicle atresia FSH deficiency FSH
TLDR Androgens are important for normal ovarian function and estrogen production, but may not be the main cause of follicle death.
The document reviewed the essential role of androgens in ovarian function, highlighting their importance in the cyclical secretion of estradiol and follicle development. Androgens were found to be necessary for granulosa cell proliferation in preantral and antral follicles, and they may also induce apoptosis in mature antral follicles to ensure mono-follicular ovulation. The review detailed the complex androgen signaling mechanisms in the ovary, including both genomic and non-genomic effects. It also addressed the role of androgens in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where intra-ovarian androgen excess contributes to abnormal follicle development. The document suggested that PCOS may be a developmental disorder linked to excess androgen during fetal life, possibly through epigenetic modifications. It concluded that while androgens are crucial for normal follicle development and estrogen production, their role in follicle atresia may have been overstated, with FSH deficiency being a more significant cause of atresia in subsidiary follicles.
