Inhibition of oocyte maturation by theophylline: possible mechanism of action.
Theophylline, a competitive inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterase, inhibits the maturation of oocytes previously exposed to progesterone. Cyclic AMP levels remain constant both during normal maturation and in response to theophylline, even though the latter effectively inhibits phosphodiesterase activity in the oocyte. Thus, the inhibition is not attributable to elevated cAMP levels. Rather, we suggest that theophylline may exert its inhibitory effects on maturation either by reducing rates of protein synthesis or possibly through effects at the oocyte surface.
Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
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O'Connor
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Smith
D000818:Animals; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D013806:Theophylline; D000242:Cyclic AMP