The Role of Androgen Hormones in Early Follicular Development
Table 4
Effects of the in vitro administration of androgen hormones on early follicular development.
Animal
Methodology used
Main results
Reference
Cattle
Culture of ovarian cortex fragments for 10 days in the presence of (i) 10−10 to 10−7 M testosterone, (ii) 10−7 M estradiol, and (iii) testosterone in combination with flutamide (AR antagonist).
Testosterone (10−7 and 10−6 M) promoted an increased transition from primary to secondary follicles, which was inhibited in the presence of flutamide and was not replicated in the presence of estradiol.
Culture of ovarian cortex fragments for 24 hours in the presence of FSH in combination with (i) 10−10 to 10−7 M testosterone, (ii) 10−10 to 10−7 M dihydrotestosterone, (iii) 10−10 to 10−8 M estradiol, and (iiii) dihydrotestosterone in combination with casodex (AR antagonist).
Androgens promoted a reduction of ovarian tissue apoptosis which was inhibited in the presence of casodex and was not replicated in the presence of estradiol.
Culture of isolated preantral follicles for 6 days in the presence of (i) anti-androgen antibody in combination or not with 1 g/mL androstenedione, (ii) casodex (AR antagonist) in combination with FSH, and (iii) 1 g/mL dihydroxytestosterone in combination with FSH.
Treatment with an anti-androgen antibody inhibited follicular growth and differentiation; an effect that was reversed by the addition of androstenedione. Treatment with casodex inhibited the positive effect of FSH on follicular growth which was reversed by the addition of dihydroxytestosterone.
Culture of isolated preantral follicles for 4 days in the presence of (i) dihydrotestosterone or testosterone or dihydroxytestosterone or dihydroxytestosterone sulfate (10−11 to 10−7 M) (ii) in combination or not with hydroxyflutamide (AR antagonist) or FSH.
Treatment with the different androgens promoted a dose-dependent follicular growth which was inhibited by the presence of the AR antagonist. The combination with FSH improved the effect of androgens on follicular growth.
Culture of isolated preantral follicles for 13 days in the presence of (i) 50 M hydroxyflutamide (AR antagonist) in combination with FSH and (ii) 50 M bicalutamide (AR antagonist) in combination with FSH.
Follicular growth, production of inhibiting B, and steroids and oocyte maturation were impaired by the addition of both AR antagonists.
Culture of isolated preantral follicles for 13 days in the presence of (i) 20 or 200 nM androstenedione and (ii) testosterone (20 or 200 nM or 2 M) both in the presence of FSH.
Treatment with both androgens at concentrations of more than 200 nM impaired oocyte maturation.
Culture of isolated preantral follicles for 12 days in the presence of androstenedione (10−11, 10−9, 10−5 M) in combination with FSH.
Treatment with androstenedione at the dose of 10−5 M promoted follicular growth, whereas higher doses impaired follicular development. Treatment with androstenedione impaired oocyte maturation regardless of the dose used.
