It is well known that prostaglandin (PG) F2
2α has some effects on steroidogenesis in the ovary. We measured the plasma progesterone after iv injection of PGF2
2α on various conditions. When PGF2
2α was injected into immature rats, plasma progesterone was increased in 30 minutes after the injection and was decreased gradually. When PGF2
2α was injected ntoi the PMS-HCG treated immature rats, plasma progesterone was also increased in 1 hour after the injection. In contrast to above, no elevation of plasma progesterone was detectable after injection of PGF2
2α in rats under the treatment of prednisolone to suppress the adrenal cortical function. Same result was observed in PMS-HCG and prednisolone treated immature rats. In the next study we used the autoradiographic technic of
3H-PGF2a in mature proestrous mouse. Uptake of
3H-PGF2
2α in 30 minutes after intraperitoneal injection were detectable in theca cells in the ovary and adrenal cortex. It was suggested that plasma progesterone was increased after the injection of PGF2
2α in vivo and the adrenal gland was the main organ to produce progesterone.
However we did not detect the histological difference about the maturation of follicles between PMSHCG treated immature rats with the normal adrenal function and those with the suppressed adrenal function. So there is an possibility that there is no relation between the maturation of follicle in the ovary and steroidogenesis by PGF2
2α.
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