Fetal programming by androgen excess in rats affects ovarian fuel sensors and steroidogenesis

• Published in: Journal of developmental origins of health and disease Vol. 10; no. 6; pp. 645 - 658
• Main Authors: Abruzzese, Giselle Adriana, Heber, Maria Florencia, Campo Verde Arbocco, Fiorella, Ferreira, Silvana Rocio, Motta, Alicia Beatriz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Cambridge University Press 01.12.2019
• Subjects: Age; Androgens; Endocrinology; Fertility; Gene expression; Infertility; Kinases; Laboratory animals; Metabolism; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Rodents; Sensors; Argentina; PCOS; ovary; PPARG; adipokines; Prenatal hyperandrogenism
• ISSN: 2040-1744; 2040-1752
• DOI: 10.1017/S2040174419000126

Fetal programming by androgen excess is hypothesized as one of the main factors contributing to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is more than a reproductive disorder, as women with PCOS also show metabolic and other endocrine alterations. Since both ovarian and reproductive functions depend on energy balance, the alterations in metabolism may be related to reproductive alterations. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of androgen excess during prenatal life on ovarian fuel sensors and its consequences on steroidogenesis. To this end, pregnant rats were hyperandrogenized with testosterone and the following parameters were evaluated in their female offspring: follicular development, PPARG levels, adipokines (including leptin, adiponectin, and chemerin as ovarian fuel sensors), serum gonadotropins (LH and FSH), the mRNA of their ovarian receptors, and the expression of steroidogenic mediators. At 60 days of age, the prenatally hyperandrogenized (PH) female offspring displayed both an irregular ovulatory phenotype and an anovulatory phenotype with altered follicular development and the presence of cysts. Both PH groups showed altered levels of both proteins and mRNA of PPARG and a different expression pattern of the adipokines studied. Although serum gonadotropins were not impaired, there were alterations in the mRNA levels of their ovarian receptors. The steroidogenic mediators Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, and Cyp19a1 were altered differently in each of the PH groups. We concluded that androgen excess during prenatal life leads to developmental programming effects that affect ovarian fuel sensors and steroidogenesis in a phenotype-specific way.