Granulosa cell (GC)

Granulosa cells are the somatic cells of the ovarian follicle that surround and support the developing oocyte. They play a pivotal role in female reproduction by producing sex steroids, particularly estradiol, through the aromatization of theca-derived androgens (StatPearls, 2023). These cells also secrete essential peptide hormones such as inhibin and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), which regulate the recruitment of primordial follicles and provide feedback to the pituitary gland (NCBI, 2022). Granulosa cells are the primary site of action for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which binds to its specific G protein-coupled receptor (FSHR) to promote cell proliferation and differentiation during the follicular phase (PubMed, 2021). Dysfunction of these cells is a hallmark of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where abnormal signaling leads to follicular arrest and hyperandrogenism (NIH, 2023). Additionally, they can give rise to granulosa cell tumors, a rare type of ovarian cancer characterized by FOXL2 mutations and symptoms related to excess estrogen production (American Cancer Society, 2023). In clinical reproductive medicine, granulosa cells are the functional targets of ovulation-induction drugs and exogenous gonadotropins used in assisted reproductive technologies. Monitoring the health and activity of these cells is often achieved through serum biomarkers like AMH and estradiol levels.

Other names

Follicular cellOvarian granulosa cellSex cord cell

Drugs typically modulate granulosa cell function by acting as agonists or antagonists on cell-surface receptors, such as the Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and Luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), to regulate the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and subsequent steroidogenic enzyme expression.