Selective inhibitory effect of porcine follicular fluid on follicle stimulating hormone secretion in anterior pituitary cells in culture.

Incubation of rat anterior pituitary cells in culture with porcine follicular fluid (treated with charcoal to remove steroids) led to a marked inhibition of spontaneous FSH release while no effect was observed on basal LH secretion. The inhibitory effect of follicular fluid was, however, less specific on LHRH-induced gonadotropin release. Although more potent on FSH than LH release, a significant inhibition of LH release induced by the neurohormone was also observed. This inhibitory activity is mainly associated with material of MW greater than or equal to 10,000 daltons.