Mehlman High Yield Practice Exam

LH acts on theca interna cells to drive production of androgens from cholesterol. These androgens (like androstenedione and testosterone) then move to the neighboring granulosa cells, where FSH upregulates aromatase to convert them into estrogens. Theca interna cells lack aromatase, so they don’t produce estrogens directly. Inhibin is produced mainly by granulosa cells, and progesterone is produced predominantly after ovulation by luteal tissue. So the primary product of theca interna cells under LH stimulation is androgens.