Abstract
The involvement of proteolytic enzymes in follicle rupture was assessed by use of the in vitro perfused rabbit ovary. Streptokinase (10 and 100 units/ml) induced ovulation in the absence of gonadotropin. Ovulation failed to occur in contralateral control ovaries. The time of ovulation in streptokinase- and human chorionic gonadotropin-treated ovaries was similar, but significantly more ova from streptokinase-treated ovaries were immature (p < 0.001). Other ovaries were pretreated with trans-4-(aminomethyl)cyclohexane-carboxylic acid, an inhibitor of the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, and then perfused with human chorionic gonadotropin (50 IU). Ovulatory efficiency was significantly reduced by trans-4-(aminomethyl)-cyclohexane-carboxylic acid at 10 or 1 mmol/L (p < 0.001), but ovum maturity was unaffected. Aprotinin (100 or 10 μg/ml), a potent inhibitor of plasmin, significantly inhibited human chorionic gonadotropin-induced ovulation (p < 0.001) but did not affect oocyte maturation. Scanning electron microscopy of detergent-treated streptokinase-perfused ovaries revealed loosening and decomposition of collagen in the tunica albuginea. These results suggest proteolytic enzyme involvement in follicle rupture.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 468-475 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | American journal of obstetrics and gynecology |
Volume | 157 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1987 |
Keywords
- Perfused ovary
- ovulation
- proteolytic enzymes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology