Spontaneous, rhythmic contractions of the ovarian follicular wall of a lizard (Anolis carolinensis).
Collapsed walls of vitellogenic follicles from the lizard Anolis carolinensis were placed in an in vitro system to measure contractility. Three initial tensions were utilized, 0.15, 1.5, and 10.0 g; the latter, after relaxation, produced follicles with a tension similar to that on the wall of an intact vitellogenic follicle. Follicles at each tension then were exposed to either saline or 50 ng/ml arginine vasotocin (AVT). Spontaneous, rhythmic follicular contractions occurred (approx one every 3 min), regardless of initial tension. The higher the initial tension, however, the greater the amplitude of the contractions. Treatment with AVT did not influence any parameter of rhythmic contraction. This report of rhythmic contractions of whole follicular walls of Anolis suggests that contractile activity of myofibroblasts in the wall plays a role in follicular growth and/or ovulation.
D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008116:Lizards / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014426:Turtles
D001127:Arginine Vasopressin