A possible involvement of prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α) in Rana esculenta ovulation: Effects of mammalian gonadotropin-releasing hormone on in vitro PGF 2α and 17β-estradiol production from ovary and oviduct

Abstract

The present work studied the PGF 2α and 17β-estradiol plasma levels during ovulation, and the in vitro effects of mammalian gonadotropin-releasing hormone (mGnRH) on ovarian and oviductal production of prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α) and 17β-estradiol during four different stages of the annual sexual cycle in water frog, Rana esculenta. Plasma levels of PGF 2α increased in ovulating frogs, with respect to preovulatory and postovulatory levels, while estradiol did not change. In addition, mGnRH increased PGF 2α and 17β-estradiol in the incubation media of ovaries taken during the recovery stage. Moreover, mGnRH increased PGF 2α in incubation media of oviducts collected during the reproductive stage. These findings suggest that PGF 2α could be involved in the control of egg deposition in the female R. esculenta.