Changes in Theca and Granulosa Cell Function in Antral Follicles Developing during Pregnancy in the Rat: Gonadotropin Receptors, Cyclic AMP and Estradiol-17β

Abstract

To assess the functional changes of theca and granulosa cells in antral follicles developing throughout pregnancy, individual follicles were isolated and incubated individually in vitro to measure the aromatization of testosterone or gonadotropin stimulation of estradiol and cAMP accumulation. Other follicles were processed to measure gonadotropin receptor content. Between Days 3-6, FSH and LH receptor content increased in granulosa cells, LH receptor content increased in theca cells, a progressive increase in gonadotropin stimulation of follicular cAMP was observed and the ability of follicles to aromatize testosterone increased. Nevertheless, the amount of estradiol accumulated by follicles incubated in the absence of exogenous testosterone remained unchanged at 50 pg/follicle/4 h.