title: Prorenin in the cells of the mature human ovarian follicle.
abstract: Angiotensin I generating capacity in presence of semi-purified plasma human angiotensinogen, before and after liquid phase trypsin activation, was found in the extracts of the cells retrieved from human hyperstimulated ovarian follicles in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization. More than 90% of this AI generating capacity was due to activated prorenin, whereas only less than 10% was due to active renin. Low levels of angiotensinogen were also present in the extracts (100 ng/ml). This AI forming capacity was completely abolished by pre-incubation with polyclonal anti-renin serum. More than 90% of the cells retrieved from the ovarian follicles were granulosa cells. An intracellular prorenin-renin system can exist in the human ovary than can modulate the ovarian function throughout the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Centro Ipertensione Patologia Medica, University of Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Glorioso
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Troffa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tonolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000032:analysis*; D012083:Renin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D012083:Renin