Fig. 2

Effect of FAs on the physiology of cultured GCs: a Under standard in vitro culture conditions, GCs show a typical fibroblast-like morphology in the presence of FSH and IGF1. GCs display an active expression of gonadotrophin (FSHR and LHCGR) and IGF-1 receptors whose signaling could promote steroidogenesis (CYP19A1, STAR, and HSD3B1) and cell proliferation (CCND2 and PCNA) via PKA (protein kinase A) and Akt activation. b Saturated fatty acids (C16:0 and C18:0) induce adverse morphological changes in GCs with an increasing number of cells undergoing apoptosis. Decreased phosphorylation of Akt was reported in GCs. Increased expression of CD36 (fatty acid transporter), IGF-1 and FSH regulated genes can be found in GCs (c) Unsaturated fatty acids, such as OA, at elevated concentrations, also induce adverse morphological changes with increased expression of CD36 (fatty acid transporter) leading to lipid accumulation. Increased Akt phosphorylation is hypothesized to occur upon OA treatment. The expression of gonadotrophin receptors, steroidogenic and proliferation genes is down-regulated