Abstract
To investigate whether the progesterone antagonist RU486 has a direct effect on ovarian function, it was administered to immature female rats rendered hypogonadotrophic by administration of an LHRH antagonist and in which follicle development was stimulated by recombinant human FSH (recFSH). In the first experiments the effects of LHRH antagonist and recFSH on follicle growth were evaluated. Female rats of 22 days of age were injected with an LHRH antagonist (Org 30276; 500 micrograms/100 g body weight) every other day. This treatment resulted in a tenfold decrease in serum LH concentrations and a twofold decrease in serum FSH concentrations at day 30 and caused a reduction in the number and size of antral follicles. Treatment with recFSH (Org 32489) twice daily from day 26 for 4 days in a total dose ranging from 5 to 20 IU/animal increased the number and size of antral follicles in a dose-related manner and resulted after 20 IU recFSH in a tenfold increase in the concentration of inhibin in serum and ovaries at day 30. Once it was established that LHRH antagonist treatment in immature rats could be used to study the effects of gonadotrophins or steroids on follicle function, this animal model was used to study the effects of RU486 on the ovary. RU486 was administered (twice daily for 4 days, 1 mg/injection) to LHRH antagonist-treated rats in which follicular growth and differentiation were stimulated by 10 IU recFSH or by 10 IU recFSH plus 0.5 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). RU486 had no effect on circulating levels of LH and FSH, but stimulated follicular atresia both in rats treated with recFSH alone and in rats treated with recFSH and hCG. Inhibin concentrations both in serum and ovaries were significantly increased after hCG treatment. RU486, however, did not increase inhibin in the rats treated with recFSH and in those treated with recFSH and hCG. In summary, the present study has demonstrated that (1) immature rats treated with an LHRH antagonist can be used to study the effects of gonadotrophins and steroids on follicular function and (2) RU486 has a direct stimulatory effect on follicular atresia.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
