Abstract
The effects of testosterone (T) on the secretion of progesterone (P) by ovarian granulosa cells obtained from immature rats pre-treated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin were examined in vitro. T (10 nM-10 microM) enhanced both basal and FSH- or cAMP-stimulated secretion of P in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, T augmented FSH-stimulated cAMP production. The biphasic secretory pattern of P induced by continuous superfusion of granulosa cells with FSH was much exaggerated in the cultures supplemented with T. A stimulatory effect of T on secretion of P was observed only in the medium that contained serum. T affected neither the basal nor the FSH-stimulated secretion on 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone. Androsterone, a non-aromatizable and low-potency androgen, at a similar concentration as T mimicked the effects of T on the secretion of progesterone. These results indicate that androgen stimulates mature granulosa cells to enhance the secretion of P. This androgen action extends either up- or down-stream of cAMP in the process of steroidogenesis.
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