| Abstract: | Progesterone (P) production by isolated rat granulosa cells from preantral follicles was enhanced by addition of androgens to the tissue culture medium. Testosterone (T) at 10(-7), 10(-6), and 10(-4)M as well as 10(-6)M dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increased P production 400 to 700% over paired control cultures. Human chorionic gonadotropin (100 mIU/ml) and 17beta-estradiol (7.8 X 10(-10M) had no effect on P production. P was identified by both a specific radioimmunoassay and sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. The stimulatory influence of T and DHT on these preantral follicular cells is consistent with a direct role for androgens in granulosa cell differentiation. |
