title: Collagen, collagenase and collagenolytic activity in rat Graafian follicles during follicular growth and ovulation.
abstract: Follicles were dissected from the ovaries of immature rats at intervals after subcutaneous injection of 20 IU of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin. A surge of luteinizing hormone was observed at 54 h and ovulation occurred at 64-66 h. The follicular volume between 36 and 48 h, then doubled again shortly before ovulation. The collagen content of the follicles increased 3-fold from 35 to 56 h, but decreased significantly (25%) from 61 to 66 h. Follicle homogenates, activated with trypsin or aminophenylmercuric acetate, digested Type I collagen at 28 degrees C to produce typical of a true collagenase. Collagenolytic activity assayed against endogenous collagen at 37 degrees C did not change significantly between 38 and 66 h.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007700:Kinetics; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation; D051381:Rats; D012741:Sexual Maturation
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D003012:Microbial Collagenase