Androgen aromatization by luteinized bovine granulosa cells in tissue culture

Abstract

Luteinized bovine granulosa cells in tissue culture contained an active 19-hydroxylase aromatase enzyme system which converted exogenous androstenedione and testosterone to estradiol-17.beta.; no estrone was detected. In the absence of exogenous androgens, the cells failed to synthesize estrogens due to a limited capacity to synthesize androgen precursor. Theca-lutein cells, present in those CL [corpora lutea] which synthesize estrogens, may provide androgen precursor for aromatization by the granulosa-lutein cells.