Rat ovarian renin: characterization and changes during the estrous cycle

To demonstrate the existence and help clarify the function of renin in the rat ovary, we have characterized rat ovarian renin and examined ovarian renin levels during different stages of the rat estrous cycle. We show that high concentrations of active renin are present in the rat ovary (2.9 ng angiotensin I/h/mg). Ovarian renin activity has a pH optimum of about 7.0 and is due to a glycosylated aspartyl protease with an apparent mol wt of 39,000. These properties of rat ovarian renin are identical to previously characterized rat kidney renin. In PMSG-treated immature and adult 5-day cycling rats, ovarian renin was increased about 2-fold at estrus. At all stages of the estrous cycle in the 5-day cycling rat, the ratio of active to inactive ovarian renin was about 3:1, whereas about 90% of the renin in plasma was inactive. In the hypophysectomized diethylstilbestrol-treated rat ovary, over 90% of active renin remained in the residual ovary after the granulosa cells had been expressed, suggesting a theca-interstitial localization for renin. These studies indicate that active renin exists in the rat ovary, that its levels are cyclically increased at estrus, and that this increase may be due to enhanced local production and activation of the renin precursor. These findings greatly strengthen the concept of a functional renin-angiotensin system in the rat ovary.