What is the main role of the thecal cells?

Thecal cells are thought to be recruited from surrounding stromal tissue by factors secreted from an activated primary follicle. It is clear that thecal cells are fundamental for follicular growth, providing all the androgens required by the developing follicle(s) for conversion into estrogens by the granulosa cells.

What do Thecal cells produce?

Thecal cells are not capable of producing estrogen but do produce androgens in response to LH, which are then converted into estrogen by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-induced aromatase in the neighboring granulosa cells of selected growing follicles.

Is it theca or Thecal cells?

Theca cells are the endocrine cells associated with ovarian follicles that play an essential role in fertility by producing the androgen substrate required for ovarian estrogen biosynthesis. Theca cells differentiate from the interfollicular stroma in response to proteins secreted from growing follicles.

Where do Thecal cells come from?

Theca cells originate from progenitor cells within the ovary and an adjacent fetal structure, the mesonephros. The ovary consists of a variety of cell types, each with distinct cellular origins. Granulosa cells, which surround the growing oocyte, originate with the epithelium that encases the ovary.

What is the difference between theca and granulosa cells?

Theca cells produce androgens in response to luteinizing hormone (LH). Granulosa cells respond to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) mainly by aromatizing androgens to estrogens and to some extent by producing pregnenolone from cholesterol.

What do the theca cells that surround the follicle produce?

Abstract. Female theca and granulosa cells produce estrogens, estrone, estradiol, and estriol in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Corpus luteal cells produce progesterone in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

What hormone do theca cells produce?

The theca cells respond to luteinizing hormone (LH) and produce androgens, as well as progesterone in the pre-ovulatory large follicles (Magoffin, 2005; Wickenheisser et al., 2006). The granulosa cells respond to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and produce estrogen.

What androgens do theca cells produce?

Androgen synthesis Theca cells are responsible for the production of androstenedione, and indirectly the production of 17β estradiol, also called E2, by supplying the neighboring granulosa cells with androstenedione that with the help of the enzyme aromatase can be used as a substrate for this type of estradiol.

What does the word theca mean?

: an enveloping sheath or case of an animal or animal part.

How are theca cells formed?

Theca cells form in the secondary follicles, maintaining follicular structural integrity and secreting steroid hormones. Two main sources of theca cells exist: Wilms tumor 1 positive (Wt1+) cells native to the ovary and Gli1+ mesenchymal cells migrated from the mesonephros.

How are theca cells made?

Theca Cells The theca and interstitial cells are believed to arise from fibroblast-like mesenchymal cells in the stromal compartment. They first appear around follicles that have two or more layers of granulosa cells (Fig. 8.11). Production of GDF-9 by the oocyte is required for development of the theca layer.

Where are theca and granulosa cells?

Granulosa lutein cells are closest to the central connective tissue core of the corpus luteum and produce progesterone. Theca lutein cells are smaller cells than the former with dark-staining nuclei. These cells produce estrogen and are located peripherally between the folds of the granulosa lutein cells.

Where are the theca cells located in the body?

In the antral follicle stage, complete theca layers surrounding granulosa cells are composed of theca cells as the majority, vascular structures and immune cells. [2]

What are the arrows in the theca cell?

Arrows indicate the relationship of positive regulation. The arrows pointing to the recruited theca cells indicate that these factors contribute to the recruitment, differentiation, and proliferation of theca cells. Factors in italics indicate that their regulation on theca is conjectural and uncertain.

Is the theca interna part of the basal lamina?

The theca interna is a layer of highly vascularized steroidogenic cells adjacent to the basal lamina in contrast to the theca externa which is a loosely organized band of non-steroidogenic cells between the theca interna and the interfollicular stroma.

How are theca cells related to the corpus luteum?

Theca cells with granulosa cells help form the corpus luteum. Theca cells are only correlated with developing ovarian follicles.