Effect of insulin on androgen accumulation in culture of thecal cells from human ovary

bjectives:To examine the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG)and insulin(INS) on ovarian steroidgenesis in the culture media of thecal cells obtained from ovaries of normal menstrual women.Methods:The thecal cells from ovaries of 10 normal menstrual women were separated and cultured.Different doses of hCG and INS were added into the medium.Media were taken every 48 hours and accumulation of androstenedine(A)、17αhydroxyprogesterone(OHP)、progesterone(P) in the media were tested by radioimmunoassay.Results: hCG and INS stimulated A,OHP,P accumulation in the culture media in a dosedependent manner.The maximal effective dose of hCG was 0.5 IU/ml,but with increasing dose of hCG,the effect did not increased.INS had a significant effect at a dose of 10 ng/ml.When dose of INS increased,the effect was increased.hCG plus INS acted synergistically to stimulate A,OHP and P accumulation.Conclusion:The results suggest that INS is a direct regulator of steroid biosynthesis in thecal compartments of human ovaries and INS may play an important role in the regulation of androgen production in polycystic ovarian syndrome.