Formation of androgen conjugates by porcine granulosa cells

The relative abilities of isolated and recombined theca and granulosa cells, derived from medium-sized porcine ovarian follicles, to synthesize androgens and estrogens were compared. Isolated thecal preparations produced large amounts of immunoreactive androstenedione and testosterone. When theca was co-cultured with granulosa cells, accumulation of both these androgens was markedly less. Though the co-cultures produced significantly higher amounts of estradiol, this increase did not account for the reduced androgen production. To determine if the lesser androgen accumulation in the combined cultures was due to metabolism by granulosa cells of androgens to other metabolites, the fate of [3H]androstenedione or [3H]testosterone was followed. Whenever granulosa cells were present in the incubation dishes, most of the radioactivity remained in the aqueous fraction after ether extraction. Examination of the aqueous fraction by DEAE-Sephadex A25 demonstrated the presence of androgen sulphates. The results suggest that granulosa cells are the site at which follicular formation of androgen sulphates takes place.