The aim of this study was to search for direct biochemical effects of highly purified FSH on isolated ovarian follicular theca in vitro. Granulosa cells (GC; approximately 1 × 105 cells per follicle) were flushed from isolated follicles of pro-oestrous rats. The remaining theca layer and the isolated GC were incubated with highly purified ovine FSH. Prostaglandin E (PGE) accumulation was measured by radioimmunoassay. Follicle-stimulating hormone induced a 15-fold increase in PGE accumulation over the basal level in the follicular theca, the stimulated rate exceeding threefold that observed in the GC fraction derived from the same follicle. Follicle-stimulating hormone caused no significant increase in cyclic AMP level or steroidogenesis in the theca layer, but was active on these parameters in the GC. In contrast, LH increased the accumulation of cyclic AMP, progesterone and testosterone, as well as of PGE, in follicular theca. Exogenous 8-bromo cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP also stimulated PGE production in follicular theca or GC, but FSH was without any effect on the level of endogenous cyclic GMP in GC or follicular theca. Antibodies to FSH prevented the effect of FSH (but not that of LH) on PGE formation by follicular theca and GC, while antibodies to the β-subunit of LH blocked the effect of LH but not of FSH. We conclude that highly purified FSH has a stimulatory effect on PGE formation by the follicular theca.
Advances in the Regulation of Mammalian Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Secretion