GROWTH-HORMONE STIMULATES ANDROSTERONE SYNTHESIS BY RAT THECA-INTERSTITIAL CELLS

The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of growth hormon e (GH) on androsterone synthesis. This effect was analyzed in theca-in terstitial cells obtained from immature female rats. The addition of G H to the cultures significantly stimulated androsterone (A) synthesis in a dose- and time-dependent way and this effect was not due to a cel lular number increase. When added to the hCG cultures, GH significantl y enhanced androgen production even though it did not synergyze with t he chorionic gonadotropin. The addition of antibodies anti-IGF-I to th e GH cultures did not modify the growth hormone effect suggesting that GH probably does not require IGF-I to achieve its effect on A product ion. Finally, no effect of GH on cAMP levels were observed in the cult ures at the end of the treatment. Our results demonstrate that GH is a ble to significantly induce A synthesis by rat theca-interstitial cell s. Since the presence of GH and its receptors in the ovary is now well established the present data strongly suggest a potential relevance o f GH in reproductive biology.