Follicle-stimulating hormone induces deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase alpha before deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in immature rat ovarian follicles perfused in vitro.

To examine the effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on cell proliferation and cell division in ovaries, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase activities and DNA concentrations were determined in ovarian follicles of immature, hypophysectomized, estradiol-treated rats perfused in vitro. Ovine FSH (2-20 micrograms/mL) significantly enhanced the DNA polymerase alpha activity in the follicles perfused for 180-300 minutes, whereas the DNA polymerase beta activity and DNA concentration showed no significant changes. It is concluded that FSH causes the induction of DNA polymerase alpha before DNA synthesis during follicle growth in immature rat ovaries.