The effect of prostaglandin synthesis inhibition by indomethacin on ovulation and ovum maturation in the in vitro perfused rabbit ovary.
Prostaglandins (PGs) have been implicated in the mechanism of ovulation in several species through the use of PG synthesis inhibitors such as indomethacin. Studies of ovulation in the in vitro perfused rabbit ovary have aided in the delineation of the process of ovulation. This study was designed to determine the effects of indomethacin on follicle rupture and ovum development in the in vitro perfused rabbit ovary preparation. Indomethacin treatment (0.5 microgram/ml) significantly reduced the occurrence of ovulation in gonadotropin-treated ovaries. The percentage of in vitro ovulated ova and ova recovered from unruptured follicles during ovarian perfusion which achieved Metaphase II did not significantly differ between indomethacin-treated and control ovaries (hCG alone). However, increased degeneration of Metaphase II ova was associated with indomethacin treatment. In in vitro culture experiments this degeneration could be prevented by supplemental PGF2 alpha. These results indicate that inhibition of PG synthesis by indomethacin prevents follicle rupture but does not affect ovum maturation, thus providing further evidence that these two processes are distinct phenomena in vitro.
D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008677:Metaphase / Q000187:drug effects; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010063:Ovum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D011817:Rabbits
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007213:Indomethacin