Oestrogen Synthesis in Rat Ovaries in Vitro: Effects of Endogenous and Exogenous Gonadotrophins

Abstract

The rate of synthesis of [14C]oestrone and [14C]oestradiol-17\g=b\ from [14C]testosterone in vitro by ovaries from rats at different stages of the oestrous cycle was measured. The rate of [14C]oestrogen synthesis was highest in ovaries taken from rats in pro-oestrus and lowest in ovaries taken from rats early in the dioestrous phase of the cycle. Rates of synthesis in ovaries obtained from rats in the late dioestrous stage were intermediate between the rates of the other groups. The rates of [14C]oestrogen synthesis at these periods of the cycle paralleled the concentrations of oestrogens in ovarian vein plasma reported by other authors.Gonadotrophin preparations with either luteinizing hormone activity or both follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone activities had no effect on [14C]oestrogen synthesis by rat ovaries in vitro at any of these stages of the oestrous cycle.