Androgen Action in the Ovary

Overview

Journal Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2018 Aug 28

PMID 30147675

Citations 47

Authors

Stephen Franks

Kate Hardy

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Androgen production by the ovary is an essential requirement for normal cyclical secretion of estradiol but its physiological role extends to important actions on both preantral and antral follicle development, including promotion of granulosa cell proliferation. It is likely only in mature antral follicles that androgens encourage apoptosis and consequent follicle atresia, and this may be an important mechanism to ensure mono-follicular ovulation in primates, including humans. Recent studies have provided new insight into the mechanism of androgen signaling in the ovary which involves both genomic and non-genomic effects that are complementary in effecting a cellular response. In polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition characterized by intra-ovarian androgen excess, aberrant development of both preantral and antral follicles is a salient feature. We present evidence that local action of androgens plays a part in such abnormalities. Finally, we review the role of androgens in follicle atresia and conclude that the effects are part of the normal physiology of follicle maturation.

Citing Articles

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Rethinking the Terminology: A Perspective on Renaming Polycystic Ovary Syndrome for an Enhanced Pathophysiological Understanding.

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