Abstract
Acquisition of oocyte developmental competence relies on the well-controlled events accompanying antral follicular development. Elevated basal androgen levels, as in PCOS, potentially affect oocyte quality. Current experiments in an in vitro follicle bioassay studied dose-effects of androstenedione and testosterone on FSH and hCG stimulated antral follicle growth and meiotic maturation. The addition of either androgens altered follicle’s endogenous production of androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone and affected the oocyte’s capacity to resume meiosis. Exposure to 200 nM androstenedione induced an increased production of testosterone and estradiol. Exposure to a concentration of ≥200 nM testosterone induced elevated levels of estradiol and progesterone. Significant dose-dependent negative effects on polar body extrusion were seen at concentrations of ≥200 nM of either androgen. In addition, chromosome displacement on the metaphase plate was observed in oocytes obtained from androstenedione-treated follicles. Follicles exposed to a combination of 25 mIU/ml FSH and 3 mIU/ml hCG and elevated aromatizable androgens altered the steroid production profile, affected the follicular development and impaired oocyte meiotic competence.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge the helpful technical assistance of Ann Gerard and Johan Schiettecatte with the immunoassays. Our thanks also to Claudia Rodríguez for processing the oocytes for chromosomal analysis, Sandra De Schaepdryver for editorial support and Michael Whitburn of the VUB language center for proofreading the English.
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Romero, S., Smitz, J. Exposing cultured mouse ovarian follicles under increased gonadotropin tonus to aromatizable androgens influences the steroid balance and reduces oocyte meiotic capacity. Endocr 38, 243–253 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-010-9380-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-010-9380-y