= Aromatase
<Aromatase> is an <enzyme> that converts <androgens> such as <testosterone> into <estrogens>, including <estradiol>. Its activity links the availability of a precursor <substrate> to production of a chemically different hormonal signal. The amount of <enzyme>, available <substrate> and accumulated product are separate quantities.<Improved FSH sensitisation and aromatase assay in human granulosa-lutein cells by A. Lambert and others>[Abstract, androgen-to-estrogen conversion and assay design]{ref}
A 2000 experiment made that distinction useful. Researchers cultured human granulosa-lutein cells, stimulated them with <follicle-stimulating hormone>, then washed the cells and supplied <testosterone> for a two-hour challenge. They measured secreted <estradiol>. Separating the longer stimulation period from the short substrate challenge reduced the confounding effect of progressively depleting <testosterone> during culture.<Improved FSH sensitisation and aromatase assay in human granulosa-lutein cells by A. Lambert and others>[Abstract, preincubation, FSH stimulation, wash and substrate challenge]{ref}
The experiment illustrates how an <enzyme assay> can distinguish regulatory induction from immediate catalytic performance. A larger accumulated product amount could otherwise reflect more active <enzyme>, more available <substrate>, or a longer reaction time. It is the controlled comparison, not the product measurement alone, that supports an interpretation of altered <aromatase> activity.
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