Studies of the luteinization process in the rat: development of catecholamine response on progesterone production during the peri-ovulatory period.

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether pre-ovulatory follicles have an adrenergic response in terms of progesterone production. Extirpated pre-ovulatory follicles obtained both before and after the endogenous gonadotropin surge and newly formed corpora lutea were obtained from the PMSG rat ovulatory model. Follicles and corpora lutea were incubated for 120 min in MEM with Earle's salt and 10 mM Hepes, 37 degrees C, pH 7.4 and 100% oxygen, with 30 microM noradrenaline or 10 micrograms ml-1 LH-B9). Pre-ovulatory follicles were barely stimulable by noradrenaline, while newly formed corpora lutea responded markedly. Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels significantly increased progesterone accumulation in all groups. In order to determine whether preovulatory follicles need intact surrounding tissue for an adrenergic response on progesterone production, pieces of ovaries containing pre-ovulatory follicles were incubated. No significant effect of noradrenaline or adrenaline was seen, while LH had a substantial effect. The results show that catecholamines acutely exert a selective effect on steroidogenesis in the ovary with a marked stimulatory effect on corpora lutea and a marginal effect on the pre-ovulatory follicle.