A hyperandrogenic environment causes intrinsic defects that are detrimental to follicular dynamics in a PCOS mouse model.

A hyperandrogenic environment causes intrinsic defects that are detrimental to follicular dynamics in a PCOS mouse model. Endocrinology. 2019 Jan 16;: Authors: Bertoldo MJ, Caldwell ASL, Riepsamen AH, Lin D, Gonzalez MB, Robker RL, Ledger WL, Gilchrist RB, Handelsman DJ, Walters KA Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of infertility. Hyperandrogenism is both a major symptom and key diagnostic trait of PCOS; however, the direct impact of this androgen excess on ovarian dynamics is unclear. By combining a DHT-induced PCOS mouse model with an ex vivo follicle culture system, we investigated the impact of hyperandrogenism on ovarian function. Ovaries from PCOS mice exhibited the characteristic polycystic ovary morphology with numerous large cystic follicles and no corpora lutea present. Isolation and individual culture of preantral and antral follicles from PCOS mice resulted in slower growth rates over 5 days compared to the follicles isolated from control mice (P < 0.01). In contrast, preovulatory follicles from PCOS mice exhibited a significant increase in growth rate compared to controls (P < 0.01). Preantral follicles from PCOS ovaries maintained comparable follicular health as control follicles, but antral and preovulatory PCOS follicles exhibited reduced follicle health (P < 0.01) and survival rates (P < 0.01). Compared to controls, PCOS females also exhibited a poorer response to hyperstimulatio...
Source: Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Tags: Endocrinology Source Type: research