title: Plasmin-tumour necrosis factor interaction in the ovulatory process.
abstract: Collagen breakdown and apoptotic cell death within the apex of the preovulatory ovine follicle are hallmarks of impending ovarian rupture. An integrative mechanism is proposed whereby gonadotrophic stimulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator secretion by the follicular-contiguous ovarian surface epithelium elicits a localized increase in tissue plasmin, which activates collagenolysis and tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced cell death within the formative ovulatory stigma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, USA.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Murdoch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005341:Fibrinolysin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003094:Collagen; D005341:Fibrinolysin