Inhibin and Activin Regulation in Ovarian Folliculogenesis
Summary
Inhibin and activin are pivotal modulators within the transforming growth factor-β superfamily that govern the recruitment, growth and selection of ovarian follicles. Activins, formed by dimerisation of β subunits, upregulate pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release and promote granulosa cell proliferation, survival and differentiation. Inhibins, comprising an α subunit linked to a β subunit, provide negative feedback on FSH secretion and locally antagonise activin signalling by engaging co-receptors such as betaglycan. Within the follicle, activin-SMAD2/3 pathways drive early follicle growth, oocyte maturation and kit ligand expression, while inhibin fine-tunes this response to ensure the selection of a single dominant follicle. Cross-talk between granulosa and theca cells integrates gonadotrophin stimuli, steroidogenic enzyme activity and apoptotic regulators, thereby safeguarding oestradiol production and oocyte competence. Disruption of this delicate balance underlies fertility disorders, making the inhibin-activin axis a prime target for immunoneutralisation, genetic selection and fertility treatments globally.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies reveal abundant expression of ‘free’ inhibin α subunit in bovine theca cells, overturning the notion of exclusive granulosa origin. Thecal knockdown of inhibin α diminished CYP17A1 and INSL3 expression and reduced androgen output, indicating a paracrine role for inhibin α in supporting androgen biosynthesis. This discovery highlights compartmentalised TGF-β signalling within the follicle and prompts re-evaluation of how theca and granulosa layers coordinate steroidogenic cross-talk during folliculogenesis.
Inhibin and Activin Regulation in Ovarian Folliculogenesis publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in inhibin and activin regulation in ovarian folliculogenesis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Inhibin: A dimeric hormone of the TGF-β family that suppresses pituitary FSH secretion.
Activin: A TGF-β ligand that stimulates FSH release and promotes granulosa cell function.
Folliculogenesis: The multistage process by which ovarian follicles mature from primordial to preovulatory stages.
Granulosa cell: Follicular somatic cell type that supports oocyte development and produces oestrogens.
Theca cell: Follicular layer cell that synthesises androgens used by granulosa cells in oestrogen biosynthesis.
References
- Efficacy of Immunization against a Novel Synthetic 13-Amino Acid Betaglycan-Binding Peptide Sequence of Inhibin α Subunit on Promoting Fertility in Female Rats. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
- Immunization against inhibin DNA vaccine as an alternative therapeutic for improving follicle development and reproductive performance in beef cattle. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2024).
- Activin signals via SMAD2/3 between germ and somatic cells in the human fetal ovary and regulates kit ligand expression. Developmental Biology (2007).
- ‘Free’ inhibin α subunit is expressed by bovine ovarian theca cells and its knockdown suppresses androgen production. Scientific Reports (2019).
- Association between INHA gene polymorphisms and litter size in Hainan black goats. PeerJ (2023).
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