Localization of liver-type lipase in rat ovaries and its activity during the estrous cycle and lactation

The conditions for an in vitro assay of liver-type lipase, i.e. an enzyme resembling the lipase releasable from the liver by heparin (liver lipase), in rat ovaries were established. The liver-type lipase activity in the ovaries was almost completely (greater than 95%) located in the corpora lutea and its activity ranged from 0.44 to 0.77 mU per corpus luteum of (pseudo)pregnant rats. Preovulatory ovarian follicles contained very low lipase activity. During the estrous cycle the pattern of lipase activity was similar to that of serum progesterone levels (maximal at diestrus 1 and minimal at diestrus 2). In the individual rats liver-type lipase activity in the ovaries was strongly correlated with serum progesterone and 20 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. The activity of liver-type lipase also varied during lactation. It was relatively low at an early stage (2-3 days) but increased during later stages of lactation. The serum progesterone level was relatively low in rats lactating for 2-3 or 22-24 days. During the intervening time, its concentrations was elevated. Since serum 20 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels varied inversely to progesterone, the total amount of progestagens in blood during lactation remained constant. The cholesterol content of the corpora lutea of the lactating rats was initially high and decreased during the lactation.