Abstract
The two-cell theory of steroid production in the chicken ovary states that the granulosa layer of the large preovulatory follicle is the primary site of progesterone synthesis whereas the theca layer produces androgens and estrogens (1–3). As the preovulatory follicles approach ovulation, there is a dramatic increase in progesterone production and a significant decrease in androgen and estrogen synthesis. These changes in steroidogenic capabilities of the preovulatory follicles are associated with a concomitant increase in the activity of 3β-hydroxy-Δ5-steroid dehydrogenase in the granulosa layer and decrease in the activity of the aromatase enzyme in the theca layer (4–5).
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© 1991 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
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Nitta, H., Osawa, Y., Bahr, J.M. (1991). Two Populations of Steroidogenic Cells in the Theca Layer of Chicken Ovarian Follicles. In: Gibori, G. (eds) Signaling Mechanisms and Gene Expression in the Ovary. Serono Symposia USA. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3200-1_18
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3200-1_18
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
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