Granulosa cell: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:33, 18 February 2025

Detailed overview of granulosa cells in the human body

Granulosa Cells

Granulosa cells are a type of somatic cell found within the ovarian follicles of the female reproductive system. These cells play a crucial role in the development and function of the ovary, particularly in the processes of oogenesis and folliculogenesis.

Structure and Location

Granulosa cells are located in the ovarian cortex, surrounding the developing oocyte within the follicle. They form multiple layers around the oocyte, starting as a single layer in primordial follicles and proliferating to form multiple layers in more mature follicles, such as the antral follicle.

File:Ovary anatomy.png

Diagram of the ovary showing the location of granulosa cells within the follicle.

Function

Granulosa cells have several key functions:

Support of Oocyte Development: Granulosa cells provide physical support and nutrients to the developing oocyte. They are involved in the formation of the zona pellucida, a glycoprotein layer surrounding the oocyte.

Hormone Production: These cells are responsible for the production of estrogens, particularly estradiol, through the aromatization of androgens. This process is crucial for the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

Follicular Fluid Secretion: Granulosa cells secrete follicular fluid, which fills the antrum of the follicle and is essential for follicle expansion and oocyte maturation.

Regulation of Follicle Maturation: Through the production of inhibin and activin, granulosa cells regulate the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland, thus controlling follicle maturation.

Role in the Menstrual Cycle

During the menstrual cycle, granulosa cells undergo significant changes. In the follicular phase, they proliferate and increase in number, contributing to the growth of the follicle. As the follicle matures, granulosa cells increase their production of estradiol, leading to the LH surge that triggers ovulation. After ovulation, the remaining granulosa cells transform into luteal cells and form the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone to maintain the endometrium for potential implantation.

Clinical Significance

Granulosa cells are involved in several clinical conditions:

Granulosa Cell Tumors: These are rare ovarian tumors that arise from granulosa cells. They can produce estrogen, leading to symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): In PCOS, the function of granulosa cells is often disrupted, leading to anovulation and hormonal imbalances.

Infertility: Dysfunctional granulosa cells can contribute to infertility due to impaired follicle development and hormone production.

Related Pages

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Granulosa cells''' are a type of [[cell]] that are part of the [[ovary]] in the female [[reproductive system]]. They are involved in the production of [[sex hormones]] and the development of [[ovum|ova]].
+{{Short description|Detailed overview of granulosa cells in the human body}}
-== Function ==
+==Granulosa Cells==
+Granulosa cells are a type of somatic cell found within the [[ovarian follicle]]s of the female reproductive system. These cells play a crucial role in the development and function of the [[ovary]], particularly in the processes of [[oogenesis]] and [[folliculogenesis]].
-Granulosa cells have several important functions in the female reproductive system. They are involved in the production of sex hormones, including [[estrogen]] and [[progesterone]], which are essential for [[menstrual cycle|menstrual cycles]], [[pregnancy]], and [[menopause]]. They also play a crucial role in the development of ova, or eggs, which are necessary for [[fertilization]] and reproduction.
+==Structure and Location==
+Granulosa cells are located in the [[ovarian cortex]], surrounding the developing [[oocyte]] within the [[follicle]]. They form multiple layers around the oocyte, starting as a single layer in primordial follicles and proliferating to form multiple layers in more mature follicles, such as the [[antral follicle]].
-== Structure ==
+[[File:Ovary_anatomy.png|thumb|right|Diagram of the ovary showing the location of granulosa cells within the follicle.]]
-Granulosa cells are found in the [[ovarian follicle]], which is a small sac in the ovary that contains an immature egg. They surround the egg and provide it with nutrients and hormones necessary for its development. As the follicle matures, the number of granulosa cells increases, and they begin to produce estrogen.
+==Function==
+Granulosa cells have several key functions:
-== Clinical significance ==
+* '''Support of Oocyte Development''': Granulosa cells provide physical support and nutrients to the developing oocyte. They are involved in the formation of the [[zona pellucida]], a glycoprotein layer surrounding the oocyte.
-Abnormalities in granulosa cells can lead to a variety of medical conditions. For example, [[Granulosa cell tumor|granulosa cell tumors]] are a type of [[ovarian cancer]] that originates from granulosa cells. These tumors can produce large amounts of estrogen, leading to symptoms such as abnormal [[menstruation]] and [[endometrial hyperplasia]].
+* '''Hormone Production''': These cells are responsible for the production of [[estrogen]]s, particularly [[estradiol]], through the aromatization of androgens. This process is crucial for the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
-[[Polycystic ovary syndrome]] (PCOS) is another condition that can be associated with abnormalities in granulosa cells. In women with PCOS, the granulosa cells may not function properly, leading to an imbalance in sex hormones and the development of multiple small cysts in the ovaries.
+* '''Follicular Fluid Secretion''': Granulosa cells secrete follicular fluid, which fills the antrum of the follicle and is essential for follicle expansion and oocyte maturation.
-== See also ==
+* '''Regulation of Follicle Maturation''': Through the production of [[inhibin]] and [[activin]], granulosa cells regulate the secretion of [[follicle-stimulating hormone]] (FSH) from the [[pituitary gland]], thus controlling follicle maturation.
-* [[Ovary]]
+==Role in the Menstrual Cycle==
+During the menstrual cycle, granulosa cells undergo significant changes. In the follicular phase, they proliferate and increase in number, contributing to the growth of the follicle. As the follicle matures, granulosa cells increase their production of estradiol, leading to the [[LH surge]] that triggers [[ovulation]]. After ovulation, the remaining granulosa cells transform into [[luteal cells]] and form the [[corpus luteum]], which secretes [[progesterone]] to maintain the [[endometrium]] for potential [[implantation]].
+==Clinical Significance==
+Granulosa cells are involved in several clinical conditions:
+* '''Granulosa Cell Tumors''': These are rare ovarian tumors that arise from granulosa cells. They can produce estrogen, leading to symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding.
+* '''Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)''': In PCOS, the function of granulosa cells is often disrupted, leading to anovulation and hormonal imbalances.
+* '''Infertility''': Dysfunctional granulosa cells can contribute to infertility due to impaired follicle development and hormone production.
+==Related Pages==
 * [[Ovarian follicle]]
+* [[Oocyte]]
 * [[Estrogen]]
-* [[Progesterone]]
+* [[Follicle-stimulating hormone]]
-* [[Polycystic ovary syndrome]]
+* [[Luteinizing hormone]]
-* [[Granulosa cell tumor]]
+* [[Corpus luteum]]
-== References ==
-<references />
 [[Category:Cell biology]]
 [[Category:Reproductive system]]
 [[Category:Endocrinology]]
-{{stub}}
-<gallery>
-File:Pig_oocyte_dapi_4.jpg|Granulosa cell
-File:mature_Graffian_follicle.jpg|Mature Graafian follicle
-File:Gray1164.png|Granulosa cell
-</gallery>