Proteolytic enzymes and gonadal hormones of the ovarian follicle wall during ovulation in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).

There were no significant changes in the activities of collagenase, acid and neutral protease up to ovulation. Neutral protease activity increased significantly in the post-ovulatory follicle obtained immediately after ovulation. Acid protease and collagenase showed an increasing activity with time after ovulation. The progesterone concentration of the follicle wall rose 3 h before ovulation, peaked 1 h before ovulation and remained high until ovulation. Plasma progesterone values were high but decreased before those in the follicle. Follicular progesterone concentrations decreased markedly soon after rupture, but oestradiol values then increased.