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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Published on: October 2, 2018
Androgen influence on cholesterogenic enzyme mRNA levels in the mouse meibomian gland
Frank Schirra1, Stephen M Richards, David A Sullivan
1Harvard Medical School, Schepens Eye Research Institute, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Purpose:
We tested our hypothesis that testosterone increases the meibomian gland gene expression of numerous enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway.
Methods:
Meibomian glands were obtained from castrated mice treated with vehicle or testosterone for 2 weeks. Tissues were processed for the analysis of selected mRNAs by real-time PCR.
Results:
Our research demonstrates that testosterone stimulates a significant increase in the mRNA levels of mevalonate kinase, phosphomevalonate kinase, mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase, isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase, squalene epoxidase, lanosterol synthase, lanosterol demethylase, and Delta 7-sterol reductase.
Conclusions:
Our findings indicate that androgens may promote cholesterol biosynthesis in the meibomian gland.
