scholarly journals The Role of Androgen Hormones in Early Follicular Development

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catiele Garcia Gervásio ◽  
Marcelo Picinin Bernuci ◽  
Marcos Felipe Silva-de-Sá ◽  
Ana Carolina Japur de Sá Rosa-e-Silva
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Theca Cells

Background. Although chronic hyperandrogenism, a typical feature of polycystic ovary syndrome, is often associated with disturbed reproductive performance, androgens have been shown to promote ovarian follicle growth in shorter exposures. Here, we review the main effects of androgens on the regulation of early folliculogenesis and the potential of their application in improving follicular in vitro growth. Review. Androgens may affect folliculogenesis directly via androgen receptors (ARs) or indirectly through aromatization to estrogen. ARs are highly expressed in the granulosa and theca cells of early stage follicles and slightly expressed in mature follicles. Short-term androgen exposure augments FSH receptor expression in the granulosa cells of developing follicles and enhances the FSH-induced cAMP formation necessary for the transcription of genes involved in the control of follicular cell proliferation and differentiation. AR activation also increases insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and its receptor gene expression in the granulosa and theca cells of growing follicles and in the oocytes of primordial follicles, thus facilitating IGF-1 actions in both follicular recruitment and subsequent development. Conclusion. During the early and intermediate stages of follicular maturation, locally produced androgens facilitate the transition of follicles from the dormant to the growing pool as well as their further development.

scholarly journals Testosterone Induces Redistribution of Forkhead Box-3a and Down-Regulation of Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Expression at Early Stage of Mouse Folliculogenesis

Endocrinology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 151 (2) ◽  
pp. 774-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Ling Yang ◽  
Chun-Ping Zhang ◽  
Lei Li ◽  
Lin Huang ◽  
Shao-Yang Ji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Messenger Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
Forkhead Box ◽  
Differentiation Factor ◽  
Primordial Follicle Activation

Increasing evidence has shown that excess androgen may be a main cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the molecular mechanism of androgen action on the ovary is unclear. To investigate the possible impacts of androgen on early follicular development, neonatal mouse ovaries mainly containing primordial follicles were cultured with testosterone. We demonstrated that the number of primary follicles was increased after 10 d culture with testosterone treatment via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. Androgen induced Forkhead box (Foxo)-3a activation, and translocation of Foxo3a protein from oocyte nuclei to cytoplasm, which might be a key step for primordial follicle activation. Interestingly, testosterone was also capable of down-regulating growth and differentiation factor-9 expression via its receptor. In summary, we infer that intraovarian excess androgen in PCOS might result in excess early follicles by inducing oocyte Foxo3a translocation and follicular arrest by down-regulating growth and differentiation factor-9 expression.

scholarly journals Implications of environmental toxicants on ovarian follicles: how it can adversely affect the female fertility?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keerthi Priya ◽  
Manjunath Setty ◽  
Uddagiri Venkanna Babu ◽  
Karkala Sreedhara Ranganath Pai
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Female Fertility ◽  
Environmental Toxicants ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Reproductive Life ◽  
Sanitary Product

AbstractThe pool of primordial follicles formed in the ovaries during early development determines the span and quality of fertility in the reproductive life of a woman. As exposure to occupational and environmental toxicants (ETs) has become inevitable, consequences on female fertility need to be established. This review focuses on the ETs, especially well-studied prototypes of the classes endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), heavy metals, agrochemicals, cigarette smoke, certain chemicals used in plastic, cosmetic and sanitary product industries etc that adversely affect the female fertility. Many in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies have indicated that these ETs have the potential to affect folliculogenesis and cause reduced fertility in women. Here, we emphasize on four main conditions: polycystic ovary syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency, multioocytic follicles and meiotic defects including aneuploidies which can be precipitated by ETs. These are considered main causes for reduced female fertility by directly altering the follicular recruitment, development and oocytic meiosis. Although substantial experimental evidence is drawn with respect to the detrimental effects, it is clear that establishing the role of one ET as a risk factor in a single condition is difficult as multiple conditions have common risk factors. Therefore, it is important to consider this as a matter of public and wildlife health.

scholarly journals In vitro follicle culture in the context of IVF

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (1) ◽  
pp. F59-F73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamaria C Herta ◽  
Francesca Lolicato ◽  
Johan E J Smitz
Keyword(s):  
Fertility Preservation ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Ovarian Tissue ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Assisted Reproduction Techniques ◽  
Realistic Potential ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Primordial Follicle Activation ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Components

The currently available assisted reproduction techniques for fertility preservation (i.e.in vitromaturation (IVM) andin vitrofertilization) are insufficient as stand-alone procedures as only few reproductive cells can be conserved with these techniques. Oocytes in primordial follicles are well suited to survive the cryopreservation procedure and of use as valuable starting material for fertilization, on the condition that these could be grown up to fully matured oocytes. Our understanding of the biological mechanisms directing primordial follicle activation has increased over the last years and this knowledge has paved the way toward clinical applications. New multistepin vitrosystems are making use of purified precursor cells and extracellular matrix components and by applying bio-printing technologies, an adequate follicular niche can be built. IVM of human oocytes is clinically applied in patients with polycystic ovary/polycystic ovary syndrome; related knowhow could become useful for fertility preservation and for patients with maturation failure and follicle-stimulating hormone resistance. The expectations from the research on human ovarian tissue and immature oocytes cultures, in combination with the improved vitrification methods, are high as these technologies can offer realistic potential for fertility preservation.

scholarly journals Pentachloronitrobenzene alters progesterone production and primordial follicle recruitment in cultured granulosa cells and rat ovary†

2019 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 511-520
Author(s):  
Yanrong Kuai ◽  
Xiaobo Gao ◽  
Huixia Yang ◽  
Haiyan Luo ◽  
Yang Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Serum Progesterone ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Progesterone Production

Abstract Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) is an organochlorine fungicide widely used for crop production and has become an environmental concern. Little is known about the effect of PCNB on ovarian steroidogenesis and follicular development. We found that PCNB stimulated Star expression and progesterone production in cultured rat granulosa cells in a dose-dependent manner. PCNB activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK3/1) extracellulat regulated kinase (ERK1/2), thus inhibition of either protein kinase A (PKA) or MAPK3/1 signaling pathway significantly attenuated progesterone biosynthesis caused by PCNB, suggesting that PCNB induced progesterone production by activating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP/PKA) and MAPK3/1 signaling pathways. Further investigation demonstrated that PCNB induced Star expression and altered MAPK3/1 signaling in ovary tissues of immature SD rats treated with PCNB at the dose of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg by daily gavage for 7 days, while serum progesterone level was dose-dependently decreased. We demonstrated that PCNB exposure accelerated the recruitment of primordial follicles into the growing follicle pool in ovary tissues, accompanied by increased levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in both ovary tissues and serum. Taken together, our data demonstrate for the first time that PCNB stimulated Star expression, altered MAPK3/1 signaling and progesterone production in vivo and in vitro, and accelerated follicular development with a concomitant increase in AMH in ovary tissues and serum. Our findings provide novel insight into the toxicity of PCNB to animal ovary function.

scholarly journals In vitro development of mouse fetal germ cells into mature oocytes

Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Shen ◽  
Lan Li ◽  
Zhaodai Bai ◽  
Qingjie Pan ◽  
Mingxiao Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Imprinting ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Germinal Vesicle Breakdown ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Ovarian Cells ◽  
Fetal Mice ◽  
Vitro Development

Little is known about the mechanisms underlying primordial follicular formation and the acquisition of competence to resume meiosis by growing oocytes. It is therefore important to establish anin vitroexperimental model that allows one to study such mechanisms. Mouse follicular development has been studiedin vitroover the past several years; however, no evidence has been presented showing that mature oocytes can be obtained from mouse fetal germ cells prior to the formation of primordial follicles. In this study, a method has been established to obtain mature oocytes from the mouse fetal germ cells at 16.5 days postcoitum (dpc). From the initiation of primordial follicular formation to the growth of early secondary follicles, ovarian tissues from 16.5 dpc fetal mice were culturedin vitrofor 14 days. Subsequently, 678 intact secondary follicles were isolated from 182 mouse fetal ovaries and cultured for 12 days. A total of 141 oocytes inside antral follicles were maturedin vitro, and 102 oocytes underwent germinal vesicle breakdown. We found that 97 oocytes were fertilized and 15 embryos were able to form morula–blastocysts. We also analyzed various genomic imprinting markers and showed that the erasure of genomic imprinting markers in the parental generation was also imposed on the oocytes that developed from fetal germ cells. Our results demonstrate that mouse fetal germ cells are able to form primordial follicles with ovarian cells, and that oocytes within the growing follicles are able to mature normallyin vitro.

509. REGULATING MURINE FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT BY STIMULATION OF THE JAK2/STAT3 SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAY

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
R. A. Keightley ◽  
B. Nixon ◽  
S. D. Roman ◽  
D. L. Russell ◽  
R. L. Robker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Significant Role ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Janus Kinase ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Stat3 Signalling

Follicular development requires the recruitment of primordial follicles into the growing follicle pool following initiation of multiple cytokine signalling pathways. Suppression of follicular development is thought to be key to maintaining the population of primordial follicles and allowing for controlled release of these follicles throughout the reproductive lifespan of the female. However, little is known of the processes and signalling molecules that suppress primordial follicle activation and early follicle growth. Our group has identified significant upregulation of the Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2)/ Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) signalling pathway inhibitor the Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling 4 (SOCS4) that coincides with the initial wave of follicular activation in theneonatal mouse ovary. Further studies by our group have localised the SOCS4 protein to the granulosa cells of activating and growing follicles, suggesting SOCS4 expression may be linked to follicular activation. We have focused on examining protein localisation and gene expression patterns of the eight SOCS family members CIS and SOCS1-7. We have recently demonstrated that co-culture of neonatal ovaries with Kit Ligand (KL) for 2 days increases the mRNA levels of all SOCS genes. We also demonstrated the co-localisation of SOCS2 proteins with the KL receptor c-kit in the mural granulosa cells of antral, and large pre-antral follicles suggesting a significant role for SOCS2 in the later stages of follicular development. We have also shown that culturing ovaries with the potent JAK2 inhibitor AG490 substantially reduces mRNA levels of all SOCS and STAT genes that we have so far measured. We hypothesise a significant role for JAK2/STAT3 signalling in promoting the activation and early growth of ovarian follicles. Our investigations have identified significant roles for JAK2/STAT3 and the SOCS family in the regulation of ovarian follicle development.

scholarly journals Changes in the transcriptome of bovine ovarian cortex during follicle activation in vitro

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 600-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Y. Yang ◽  
J. E. Fortune
Keyword(s):  
Bovine Genome ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Tensin Homolog ◽  
Genechip Array ◽  
Pten Mrna ◽  
Follicle Activation

The signals that regulate activation, a key transition in ovarian follicular development, are still not well understood, especially in nonrodent species. To gain insight into the regulation of this transition in cattle, we combined a microarray approach with an in vitro system in which ovarian cortical pieces cultured in control medium are enriched for primordial follicles, whereas pieces cultured with insulin are enriched for primary follicles. Total RNA was extracted from cultured cortical pieces, and then transcripts were identified and analyzed using the Affymetrix Bovine Genome GeneChip array. Around 65% of the transcripts in the bovine GeneChip were detected in cultured cortical pieces. Comparison between pieces cultured with or without insulin generated 158 differentially expressed transcripts. Compared with controls, 90 transcripts were upregulated and 68 were downregulated by insulin. These transcripts are involved in many biological processes and functions, but most are associated with cellular growth or cell cycle/cell death. The transcript encoding ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) was significantly upregulated during follicle activation, and Ingenuity Pathways Analysis revealed that UBE2C can interact with the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Both PTEN mRNA and protein were lower in cortical pieces cultured with insulin than in controls. In addition, FOXO3a, a downstream effector of PTEN signaling, underwent nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling during primordial to primary follicle development in bovine fetal ovaries, further suggesting the involvement of the PTEN pathway in follicle activation in cattle. Genes and pathways identified in this study provide interesting candidates for further investigation of mechanisms underlying follicle activation.

Relationship between follicular development and prorenin production by theca cells in vitro

1994 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
B Brunswig-Spickenheier ◽  
B Steinbach ◽  
A.K. Mukhopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Development ◽  
Theca Cells

IN-VITRO STEROIDOGENESIS BY AN UNDIFFERENTIATED EMBRYONAL CELL SARCOMA OF THE OVARY

1969 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
N. DESHPANDE ◽  
V. JENSEN ◽  
R. D. BULBROOK ◽  
E. BOESEN
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Cell Sarcoma ◽  
Theca Cells

SUMMARY Tritiated pregnenolone, 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone and androstenedione were incubated separately with homogenates from an undifferentiated embryonal cell sarcoma obtained from an 11-yr.-old girl. [3H]Pregnenolone and [3H]17α-hydroxypregnenolone were converted to [3H]oestradiol-17β in larger proportion than [3H]progesterone and [3H]17α-hydroxyprogesterone. The steroidogenesis in the sarcoma was very similar to that reported for the theca cells of the human ovarian follicle.

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