Immunohistochemical localization of renin and angiotensin II in human ovaries.

Ovaries from six women with normal menstrual cycles, a follicle wall biopsy specimen from a gonadotropin-stimulated preovulatory ovary, and a corpus luteum of pregnancy were examined by immunohistochemistry for the presence of immunoreactive renin and angiotensin II. Both antisera densely stained thecal and stromal cells (interstitial complex) and luteal cells. Whereas granulosa cells in developing follicles were either unstained or lightly stained, the heavily luteinized granulosa cells of the preovulatory stimulated follicle were strongly positive for immunoreactive renin and angiotensin II. These anatomic findings are consistent with gonadotropin-stimulated local production of both renin and angiotensin II in the human ovary and support the functional roles proposed for the ovarian renin-angiotensin system in follicle development, ovulation, and luteal function and during pregnancy.