Ovarian steroid receptors and their role in ovarian function

Abstract

The steroidogenic pathway within the ovary gives rise to progestins, androgens and oestrogens, all of which act via specific nuclear receptors to regulate reproductive function and maintain fertility. The precise role of oestrogen in the ovary remains to be elucidated, hence the data presented here which arises from studies designed to resolve this issue. Oestrogens signal via two receptor subtypes ERα and ERβ, both of which are present in the ovary. ERβ, the most abundant mRNA, is primarily expressed by GC where it transduces signals from ovarian-derived and exogenous oestrogens. Specific roles for each of the ERs in the ovary have yet to be established, despite ER knockout studies indicati..