Insulin stimulates androgen accumulation in incubations of minced porcine theca.

Clinical observations indicate that there is an association between hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism in women of reproductive age. The effects of insulin on ovarian steroidogenesis were studied in 4-day incubations of minced porcine theca. Insulin alone significantly stimulated dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T) and androstenedione (delta 4A) accumulation in the media as compared to vehicle-treated controls. Insulin alone did not stimulate progesterone (P) accumulation. Insulin plus luteinizing hormone (LH) resulted in significantly greater accumulation of DHT, T and delta 4A than LH alone. Insulin plus LH did not stimulate P accumulation as compared to LH alone. Insulin, at high concentrations, may be a regulator of thecal androgen synthesis.