JLE

Médecine de la Reproduction

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Androgens and follicular growth Volume 14, issue 3, Juillet-Août-Septembre 2012

Authors
AP-HP, hôpital Antoine-Béclère, service de gynécologie-obstétrique et médecine de la reproduction, 157, rue de la Porte de Trivaux, 92141 Clamart, France, Université Paris-Sud, 92140 Clamart, France, Inserm, U782, 32, rue des Carnets, 92140 Clamart, France

The premature decline of the ovarian follicular status is not a rare condition. It leads to a reduction in the likelihood of conception that is refractory to any available medical approach. In an effort to find therapeutic alternatives, some authors focused in the possible stimulating role of androgens on the folliculogenesis. In non-human primates, a high-dose androgenic treatment is associated to an increase in the number of growing follicles as well as in their sensitivity to FSH. In women, polycystic ovary syndrome, some virilizing affections, or the transsexual woman model constitute some examples of the probable relationship between androgens and hyperfolliculogenesis. Available clinical trials attempting to increase the number of growing follicles and/or their sensitivity to FSH either through the systemic androgen administration, the inhibition of their metabolism, or the stimulation of thecal production by administering LH activity have hitherto led to inconclusive results. The present article takes an objective look on the relationship between androgens and folliculogenesis as well as their possible use in clinical practice to improve the parameters of the follicular ovarian status.