Effects of steroid blockers on LH-induced ovulation in the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus.

The spontaneous ovulation of hens was suppressed by daily injection of PMSG. The LH injected to overcome the block was accompanied by one of 4 compounds known to inhibit steroidogenesis at different sites in the biosynthetic pathway. A dose of 300 mg aminoglutethimide phosphate, which inhibits the conversion of cholesterol to 20 alpha-hydroxycholesterol, blocked the LH-induced ovulation and prevented the normal rise in plasma progesterone. Metyrapone, an inhibitor of 11 beta-hydroxylase, and SC 12937 and AY 9944, inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis, did not prevent ovulation or the progesterone rise induced by exogenous LH. Administration of progesterone overcame the inhibitory effect of aminoglutethimide, and it is suggested that progesterone is involved in the ovulatory process of the fowl.