The effects of exogenous gonadotropins on ovarian adenylate cyclase activity

Adenylate cyclase was assayed in pellets prepared by centrifuging for 10 min at 600 x g homogenates of ovaries of immature rats treated with PMS and hCG. Activity was detected in the absence of any stimulatory agents and increased markedly in the presence of fluoride. Dose-dependent activity occurred in vitro in response to LH ranging from 0.2 to 10 mug/ml of incubate but not at higher concentrations. Marked changes in adenylate cyclase activities were observed with preparations from ovaries excised at various times after gonadotropin treatment. These changes, measured as the response to both fluoride and LH were observed to occur in four main stages. An initial decrease occurred 1/2 to 1 day after administration of hCG. Activity then increased and remained significantly elevated from day 3 to 7. A second but more dramatic rise was observed on day 8 and this enhanced level of activity remained elevated until day 13. A decreased level of activity occurred on day 15. Unstimulated activity remained low for the 16 day period studied although significant rises were observed on day 3 and days 8 to 15 after the administration of hCG. We have suggested that these changes in the adenylate cyclase activity modulate the level of cyclic AMP in the luteal cells and thereby induce changes in the activity of enzymes involved in progestin biosynthesis.