Effects of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone on ovarian cyclic AMP and prostaglandin E in vivo in rats treated with indomethacin.

The role of prostaglandins in both FSH- and LH-mediated increases in ovarian cyclic AMP was examined in rats in vivo. Dose-related increases in ovarian cyclic AMP levels were observed 10 min after intravenous injection of FSH or LH. No changes in ovarian prostaglandin E (PGE) content were detected after injection of either gonadotrophin at doses which substantially enhanced cyclic AMP accumulation. Prior treatment of rats with indomethacin produced a greater than 50% decrease in ovarian PGE levels, but did not prevent the FSH- or LH-induced rise in ovarian cyclic AMP concentration. These in vivo experiments do not support the concept that PGE plays a role as an obligatory mediator for the gonadotrophin-induced rise in ovarian cyclic AMP levels.