title: Free and esterified cholesterol concentration and cholesteryl ester composition in the ovaries of maturing and superovulated immature rats.
abstract: The cholesterol and cholesteryl ester concentration and cholesteryl ester composition were determined in the ovaries of immature rats, sexually mature rats and superovulated immature rats. The immature rat ovary accumulated cholesteryl esters, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids were preferentially incorporated into these esters. The cholesteryl esters decreased in concentration and changed in composition with the onset of the first estrous cycle. Superovulation of immature rats, by injection of 50 I.U. pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, caused a decrease in the cholesteryl ester concentration of the ovary within 24 h and specific depletion of some esters, particularly those of 20 : 1 and 22 : 6 acids. Human choriogonadotropin, administered 54 h later, induced synchronous luteinization of the ovaries and was followed by increases in the concentration of free and esterified cholesterol and preferential accumulation of the esters of 20 : 4, 22 : 4, 4, 22 : 5 and 22 : 6 acids. Acute stimulation of luteinized ovaries by a second injection of the rats with 25 I.U. of human choriogonadotropin resulted in preferential hydrolysis of the esters of 18 : 1, 20 : 4, 22 : 4 and 22 : 5 acids.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000378:metabolism*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D010060:Ovulation; D051381:Rats; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013480:Superovulation
chemical_list: D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine; D002784:Cholesterol