Radioautography of newly synthesized RNA and protein in preovulatory follicles.

Abstract

Luetinizing hormone initiates an increased uptake of tritiated uridine (3Huridine) and tritiated valine (3H-Val) by ovaries of mated estrous stage rabbits. Either 3Huridine or 3H-Val was infused into the abdominal aorta of mated rabbits for 2 hr. A washout of unincorporated labeled material was allowed for 1 hr. Radioautographs of the ovaries were prepared after standard histologic treatment. The radioactivity in the interstitial tissue, thecaexterna, theca interna and membrana granulosa was determined by counting the silver grains overlying these areas. Increased synthetic activity was easily detectable 2–4 hr after coitus. The increased rate of RNA synthesis persisted at 8 hr, while the increased rate of protein synthesis was still apparent at 10 hr. The sites for synthesis of RNA and protein appear to be the theca interna and the membrana granulosa. (Endocrinology 84: 711, 1969)