Implications of insulin in ovarian function and embryonic development

Abstract

Insulin is a hormone essentially involved in the blood glucose level regulation, besides it acts on cell growth and development of a several variety of cell types, including the ovarian cells. In general, the effects of this hormone in ovarian cells of mammals are positive, it stimulates in granulosa cells proliferation, aromatase activity and steroid production, also it is a factor that regulates the oocyte maturation. Therefore, this review described the main biological effects of insulin in female mammalian reproduction, with emphasis on ovarian folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation and embryonic development. This paper shows the structure and action aspects of insulin and its receptor, the presence of insulin and its receptor in the ovary and the role of this hormone in female reproduction. Insulin is an anabolic hormone produced by pancreatic  cells. Its action starts in the cell by binding to the in cell plasma membrane receptor. In the ovarian environment, insulin is an important modulator of follicular development, steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development. Thus, metabolic hormones such as insulin regulate the follicular development by modulating the follicular recruitment, development and maturation. Despite significant scientific advances that have occurred on the mechanisms of insulin action, there is yet to be better explained its effects on folliculogenesis in mammals, as well as the influence of these effects in the subsequent maturation of oocytes grown in vitro. Keywords: Embryo, oocyte, ovarian follicle, receptor.