Granulosa cells, hormones produced

The ceUular source of the various ovarian steroids has been difficult to unravel, but a transfer of substrates between two cell types is involved. Theca cells are the source of androstenedione and testosterone. These are converted by the aromatase enzyme in granulosa cells to estrone and estradiol, respectively. Progesterone, a precursor for all steroid hormones, is produced and secreted by the corpus luteum as an end-product hormone because these cells do not contain the enzymes necessary to convert progesterone ro other steroid hormones (Figure 42-8). 

The follicular granulosa cells are the major site of synthesis of female steroid sex hormones the oestrogens. P-Oestradiol represents the principal female follicular oestrogen. Oestriol is produced by the placenta of pregnant females. Oestriol and oestrone are also produced in small quantities as products of P-oestradiol metabolism. 

Figure 19.8 A brief summary of the pathways for formation and secretion of oestradiol and progesterone within the cells of the follicle. Cholesterol is taken up by thecal cells in a complex with low density lipoprotein. In the thecal cells, cholesterol is converted to testosterone which is released to be taken up by granulosa cells where it is converted into oestradiol. For synthesis of progesterone in the granulosa cells, cholesterol is synthesised de novo within the cells from acetyl-CoA. In the follicle the enzyme aromatase, which produces the aromab c ring in the female sex hormones, is restricted to the granulosa cells. The reacrions that are stimulated by LH and FSH increase synthesis and, therefore, secretion of testosterone and increased synthesis of oestrogens and progesterone.

Cellular debris in the epididymis or in ejaculated semen can also signal testicular toxicity impacting gametogenesis. Measurements of circulating steroids and LH/FSH as well as inhibin B (a peptide hormone produced by Sertoli or granulosa cells) can also help characterize impacts on the reproductive system and sometimes lead to hypotheses about the underlying mechanism(s) of the alterations. 

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