The role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in ovarian development, function, xenobiotic metabolism, and disease

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays a role in the development, function, and xenobiotic metabolism in multiple tissues, including the ovary. The AHR is a member of the Per/Arnt/Sim basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors. Endogenous and exogenous ligands activate the AHR signaling pathway. Activation of the AHR pathway leads to transcription of downstream targets. This review highlights the involvement that the AHR has in ovarian development and function. This review focuses on the involvement that the AHR has in both folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Several studies indicate that the AHR mediates normal ovarian function and can influence xenobiotic metabolism in the ovary. Further, the review summarizes the involvement of the AHR in ovarian diseases such as infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and ovarian cancer, and the potential for targeting the AHR as a therapeutic option for ovarian disease. Finally, this review addresses gaps in the literature that can be addressed to further the understanding of the role that the AHR has in the ovary and how its role can be leveraged in the clinic. This review examines the role that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays in ovarian function (folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis, and xenobiotic metabolism) and disease.