| Summary: | as an activin-binding protein. However, follistatin may also have direct actions on
granulosa cells which are independent of its activin-binding activity. Follistatin
stimulated basal progesterone and estradiol production; however, this stimulatory
effect of follistatin on basal levels of steroid hormones was not present in all of the
experiments. Follistatin did not affect hCG-stimulated estradiol and progesterone
production by human granulosa cells.
The biochemical pathways that lead to the formation ofthe Ang II/III exists in the
human ovary. The effects of Ang II and Ang III with regard to steroid production in
the ovary were investigated. Ang III but not Ang II inhibited hCG-stimulated
progesterone production. On the other hand, Ang II stimulated basal estradiol levels
while Ang III had no effect on basal or hCG-induced estradiol production. Taken
together, these results suggest that Ang II and Ang III may promote follicular
maturation in the human ovary by enhancing basal estradiol production from
granulosa cells and preventing premature luteinization.
In summary, the results from this study showed that local ovarian substances
play a role in modulating the steroid hormone production by the granulosa cells. It
is anticipated that future studies may allow for a better understanding of the
coordinated action of many local substances involved in regulating steroid hormone
production in the human ovary. === Medicine, Faculty of === Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Department of === Graduate
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