Effect of oestradiol-17 beta and gonadotrophins on prostaglandin production by pre-ovulatory pig follicles superfused in vitro.

Pre-ovulatory pig follicles were superfused in vitro with oestradiol, LH or FSH in the presence and absence of indomethacin. Prostaglandin E2 ANd F2 alpha and oestradiol were measured in the same samples of superfusate. LH and FSH caused an increase in levels of both prostaglandins (approximately 2-fold) but the most marked effect was of oestradiol in PGE2 where a 4-fold increase in levels above controls was observed. In all cases indomethacin inhibited the effects. Both gonadotrophins caused an increase in oestradiol production although the response to LH was much slower than to FSH. The results show a possible relationship between FSH, oestradiol and PG synthesis in the pre-ovulatory pig follicle.