Effect of LH on the release of cyclic AMP by the rabbit ovary perfused in vivo and in vitro.

After perfusion of 10 rabbit ovaries in vitro with a modified Krebs bicarbonate buffer containing dextran and glucose, the concentration of cAMP in the perfusion medium was significantly increased 2-5 min after stimulation with 10 mug LH/ml medium and was higher at 15 and 30 min. Intravenous injection of 100 mug LH/rabbit caused a significant increase of cAMP concentrations in the ovarian venous blood from 8 ovaries 10 min after the injection and the cAMP concentrations were higher after 15 and 30 min. The ovarian blood flow was not changed after the LH injection. It is concluded that perfusion techniques can be useful in analysis of the mechanisms and physiological significance of release of cAMP from the ovary after hormonal stimulation.