哺乳动物卵巢卵泡膜细胞功能的研究进展

Over the past decade, researches on follicular biology are focused on granulosa cells and their interaction with the oocyte. While, the theca cell has been somewhat forgotten as a necessary and vital part of the folliculogenesis and follicular developmental process in the mammalian ovary. Theca cells synthesize androgens required by the developing follicles, modulate angiogenesis and provide essential nutrients and steroid hormones along follicular developmental process. Their function is also enabled to contribute the process of cell apoptosis and follicular development via mediating the crosstalk with oocyte and granulosa cells. In this study, the advance in the function of theca cells in the mammalian ovary are reviewed to represent the crucial role of theca cells during follicular development and promote the research on the function of theca cells.