Pre-ovulatory changes in follicular fluid prostaglandin F levels in swine.

The concentration of prostaglandin F (PGF) has been measured by radioimmunoassay in follicular fluid collected from follicles at various time intervals after treatment of prepuberal gilts with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin to induce ovulation. A high proportion of animals will ovulate 116 +/- 8 hr after treatment. Pre-ovulatory follicles can be identified on the basis of gross morphological apperance 10-12 hr before the predicted time of ovulation. The concentration of PGF in fluid from follicles judged not to be pre-ovulatory was relatively constant at about 0.45 ng per g and appeared to be independent of the time of sampling. An increase in the concentration of PGF was observed in fluid collected from follicles classified as destined to ovulate. This increase became more pronounced as the time of ovulation approached and reached a maximum at or about the time of follicle rupture. These data provide evidence in support of a role for prostaglandins in the ovulatory process in the pib.