Morales T I, Woessner J F, Marsh J M, LeMaire W J
Biochim Biophys Acta. 1983 Mar 15;756(1):119-22. doi: 10.1016/0304-4165(83)90031-4.
Follicles were dissected from the ovaries of immature rats at intervals after subcutaneous injection of 20 IU of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin. A surge of luteinizing hormone was observed at 54 h and ovulation occurred at 64-66 h. The follicular volume between 36 and 48 h, then doubled again shortly before ovulation. The collagen content of the follicles increased 3-fold from 35 to 56 h, but decreased significantly (25%) from 61 to 66 h. Follicle homogenates, activated with trypsin or aminophenylmercuric acetate, digested Type I collagen at 28 degrees C to produce typical of a true collagenase. Collagenolytic activity assayed against endogenous collagen at 37 degrees C did not change significantly between 38 and 66 h.
