In the present study we searched for prolactin receptor (PRL-R) in porcine ovarian theca tissue (Tc) of small, medium and large follicles, as well as in early corpus luteum (ECL). The objectives of this investigation were: 1) comparison of the direct effect of PRL action on progesterone (P₄) and estradiol (E₂) secretion from Tc and ECL cells in culture with adequate effects caused by luteinizing hormone (LH). 2) detection of the presence and distribution of PRL-R in thecal tissue of porcine follicles and in ECL. Tissues were cultured as monolayers either in control M199 medium with calf serum or in medium either with PRL (100ng/ml) or with LH (100ng/ml). After 2 days in vitro cultured media were assayed for steroid concentrations by radioimmunoassays. Content and distribution of PRL-R were evaluated by Scatchard analysis and by an immunohistochemical assay. Separated theca layers as well as fragments of ECL were excised on dry ice, homogenized, and incubated with [¹²⁵I]-PRL. PRL stimulated P₄ secretion from Tc 10-fold versus controls. LH stimulated P₄ secretion only 2.5-fold. E₂ secretion was stimulated by PRL 2.7-fold and by LH 2.4-fold. LH enhanced P₄ secretion from ECL cells by 18% while PRL increased P₄ secretion by as much as 73%. Femtomol amounts of PRL-R protein were detected in theca tissues of medium and large follicles and also in ECL, which was in accordance with immunohistochemical results. The results showed for the first time the presence of PRL-R in porcine Tc and ECL.