Theca interna
Encyclopedia
Theca interna cells express receptors
for luteinizing hormone
(LH) to produce androstenedione
, which via a few steps, gives the granulosa the precursor for estrogen
manufacturing.
After rupture of the mature ovarian follicle
, the theca interna cells differentiate into the theca lutein cells of the corpus luteum
. Theca lutein cells secrete androgen
s and progesterone
.
Luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor
The luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor , also lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor or luteinizing hormone receptor is a transmembrane receptor found in the ovary, testis and extragonadal organs like the uterus...
for luteinizing hormone
Luteinizing hormone
Luteinizing hormone is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. In females, an acute rise of LH called the LH surge triggers ovulation and development of the corpus luteum. In males, where LH had also been called interstitial cell-stimulating hormone , it stimulates Leydig cell...
(LH) to produce androstenedione
Androstenedione
Androstenedione is a 19-carbon steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands and the gonads as an intermediate step in the biochemical pathway that produces the androgen testosterone and the estrogens estrone and estradiol.-Synthesis:Androstenedione is the common precursor of male and female sex...
, which via a few steps, gives the granulosa the precursor for estrogen
Estrogen
Estrogens , oestrogens , or œstrogens, are a group of compounds named for their importance in the estrous cycle of humans and other animals. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal...
manufacturing.
After rupture of the mature ovarian follicle
Ovarian follicle
Ovarian follicles are the basic units of female reproductive biology, each of which is composed of roughly spherical aggregations of cells found in the ovary. They contain a single oocyte . These structures are periodically initiated to grow and develop, culminating in ovulation of usually a single...
, the theca interna cells differentiate into the theca lutein cells of the corpus luteum
Corpus luteum
The corpus luteum is a temporary endocrine structure in mammals, involved in production of relatively high levels of progesterone and moderate levels of estradiol and inhibin A...
. Theca lutein cells secrete androgen
Androgen
Androgen, also called androgenic hormone or testoid, is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of male characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors...
s and progesterone
Progesterone
Progesterone also known as P4 is a C-21 steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryogenesis of humans and other species...
.