Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Evaluation of Hepatic Glucose Production in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mouse Model
Published on: March 5, 2022
[Correlation between local hormones and CD36 transcription level in women with polycystic ovary]
Liang-qing Yao1, Jian-quan Kuang, Dong-zi Yang
1Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Second Hospital, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Objective:
To detect CD(36) expressions in polycystic ovary (PCO), and to explore its correlation with local androgen and insulin at transcription level.
Methods:
From August 2002 to February 2003, 12 patients with asymmetric PCO, 15 primary or secondary infertile patients without endocrine disorders and 8 polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with bilateral PCO were recruited. Extraction of follicular fluid and detection of testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), insulin (INS) and androstenedione (A(2)) were performed. Relative CD(36) mRNA expression level of human ovarian inner thecal cells was analyzed by auto image analysis system (IAS) after RT-PCR.
Results:
The level of CD(36) mRNA expression in thecal cells was 0.24 +/- 0.07 in polycystic ovary of PCO group and 0.21 +/- 0.05 in bilateral ovaries of PCOS group, respectively, which were significantly lower than 0.83 +/- 0.13 in normal ovaries (P < 0.01). T and INS levels of follicle fluid in PCO were significantly higher than that in normal ovaries (P < 0.01). T and INS levels of follicle fluid were negatively related to CD(36) mRNA expression of follicular theca interna (r = -0.6810, r = -0.6708, P < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Decrease of scavenger receptor gene CD(36) mRNA may play a role in the pathogenesis of PCO by increasing the level of T and INS in follicular fluid.
Related Concept Videos
Feedback Loops
Oogenesis
Target Cell Response to Hormones
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
Ovarian Cycle
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...

