relationship between follicular fluid androgen concentrations and its receptor expression in granulosa cells from human follicles

ABSTRACT

Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is the most common cause of oligoanovulation, infertility, and hyperandrogenism in women and characterized by abnormal folliculogenesis. The androgen receptoe [AR] is present in the ovary in almost all stages of folliculogenesis and has been suggested to play a proliferative role for follicular development but the role of androgen signaling through the AR in the pathophysiology of PCOS is still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of androgens during folliculogenesis by determining AR mRNA expression in granulosa cell [GC] of human antral follicles in PCOS patients and controls and correlate that with the hormonal characteristics of the corresponding follicular fluid. The current study included 40 patients with PCOS and 30 women with normal ovulatory function attending the Fertility Unit in Mansoura University Hospital. The follicular fluid [FF] levels of sex steroids were assayed via high performance liquid chromatography. RNA was extracted from GC of all cases and controls. cDNA and amplification of a gene region from 1648 to 2055 bp of human androgen receptor was carried out by one step RT-PCR. The PCR product size of 400 bp was electrophoresed on 1% agarose gel. The results revealed that the F F levels of testosterone, androstenedione, 3alpha-androstanediol, 17 OH progesterone and progesterone were significantly higher in patients with PCO than the control group. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in AR expression in patients with PCO than the control group. It could be concluded that androgen signaling through AR plays an important role in GC development and is required for the optimal performance of female reproduction, but that excessive androgen signaling might lead to abnormal follicular growth seen in polycystic ovary syndrome