Hayes E, Winston N, Stocco C. Molecular crosstalk between insulin-like growth factors and follicle-stimulating hormone in the regulation of granulosa cell function.
Reprod Med Biol 2024;
23:e12575. [PMID:
38571513 PMCID:
PMC10988955 DOI:
10.1002/rmb2.12575]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background
The last phase of folliculogenesis is driven by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and locally produced insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), both essential for forming preovulatory follicles.
Methods
This review discusses the molecular crosstalk of the FSH and IGF signaling pathways in regulating follicular granulosa cells (GCs) during the antral-to-preovulatory phase.
Main findings
IGFs were considered co-gonadotropins since they amplify FSH actions in GCs. However, this view is not compatible with data showing that FSH requires IGFs to stimulate GCs, that FSH renders GCs sensitive to IGFs, and that FSH signaling interacts with factors downstream of AKT to stimulate GCs. New evidence suggests that FSH and IGF signaling pathways intersect at several levels to regulate gene expression and GC function.
Conclusion
FSH and locally produced IGFs form a positive feedback loop essential for preovulatory follicle formation in all species. Understanding the mechanisms by which FSH and IGFs interact to control GC function will help design new interventions to optimize follicle maturation, perfect treatment of ovulatory defects, improve in vitro fertilization, and develop new contraceptive approaches.
Collapse