Theca cells are located in the ovarian follicles and become luteinized when the ovarian follicle breaks and a new corpus luteum is formed.
12.
It has a critical role in granulosa cell and theca cell growth, as well as in differentiation and maturation of the oocyte.
13.
In human embryogenesis, the theca cells form a corpus luteum after a Graafian follicle has expelled its secondary oocyte arrested in second meiosis.
14.
It is highly expressed in the oocyte and has a pivotal influence on the surrounding somatic cells, particularly granulosa, cumulus and theca cells.
15.
Theca cells are a group of endocrine cells in the ovary made up of connective tissue surrounding the follicle that has many diverse functions during folliculogenesis.
16.
The genetic component appears to be inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion with high genetic penetrance but variable ovarian follicle theca cells from women with the allele.
17.
Hyperthecosis occurs when the cells of the ovarian stroma transition from interstitial cells, which are cells located in between other cells, into luteinized theca cells.
18.
LH induces the production of androgens by the theca cells, most notably androstendione, which are aromatized by granulosa cells to produce estrogens, primarily estradiol.
19.
When theca cells form in the tertiary follicle the amount of estrogen increases sharply ( theca-derived androgen is aromatized into estrogen by the granulosa cells ).
20.
In contrast, granulosa cells lack 17?-hydroxylase and 17, 20-lyase, whereas theca cells express these enzymes and 17?-HSD but lack aromatase.
