What cells in the female reproductive system produce testosterone?
A) Theca cells
B) Leydig cells
C) Luteal cells
D) Granulosa cells
E) Chalonic cells
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: A) Theca cells
Theca cells in the female reproductive system are responsible for producing testosterone. These cells are located in the ovarian follicles, specifically in the theca interna layer, which surrounds the granulosa cells. The process of testosterone production in theca cells plays a crucial role in the synthesis of estrogen, the primary female sex hormone.
The production of testosterone by theca cells begins when luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary binds to LH receptors on these cells. This stimulates the conversion of cholesterol into androgens, mainly androstenedione and testosterone, through a series of enzymatic reactions. These androgens are then transported to the neighboring granulosa cells.
Granulosa cells, under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), convert the androgens produced by theca cells into estrogens such as estradiol using the enzyme aromatase. This collaboration between theca and granulosa cells is essential for the proper development and maturation of the ovarian follicle and for the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
Leydig cells are found in the testes of males and are responsible for testosterone production in men, not women. Luteal cells arise from both granulosa and theca cells after ovulation and form the corpus luteum, which mainly produces progesterone, not testosterone. Chalonic cells are not a recognized type of reproductive cell involved in hormone production.
In conclusion, theca cells are the primary source of testosterone in the female reproductive system. Their role is vital in supporting estrogen synthesis, which is critical for normal reproductive function and overall hormonal balance in females.