AKT1 and ovarian carcinoma: Evidence suggests that HIF-1α plays an essential role in angiogenesis,49 cell proliferation/survival,50 and glucose/iron metabolism.51, 52 Consistent with our results (Figure 2a,Figures 3a and c), a previous study indicated HIF-1α is activated in FSH-stimulated ovarian cancer cells, SKOV-3, and that the PI3K/AKT signaling is upregulated.53 In the ovary, excessive cell proliferation induced by gonadotropins promotes the accumulation of HIF-1α and leads to hypoxia.54 Here, we identified HIF-1α as an inducible factor after FSH treatment.