Table 1 Summary of androgen effects on maturing follicles based on animal data

Different androgens affect ovarian follicles in varying ways

May explain positive and negative effects reported in literature; Different androgens can be expected to have different clinical effects.

Androgens will affect follicles differently at varying concentrations

Same as above

Androgens affect ovaries through genomic (AR) and non-genomic signaling

• Most affected cell type: granulosa cells

Granulosa cell abnormalities should be associated with POF and other ovarian function abnormalities

• Most affected maturation stage: preantral and early antral follicles

Androgen effects should be visible in AMH levels and AFCs

Androgens activate FSH activity on granulosa cells the most at antral stage

Antral stage should be most responsive to synergistic activity of androgens and FSH