Aromatase activity in ovarian follicles of the golden hamster

The aromatizing ability of recombined granulosa and thecal cells in culture, isolated from hamsters 72-78 h and 96-102 h after PMSG-stimulation, was assessed by the addition to the culture medium of androstenedione, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and measuring the output of oestradiol 4 h later. The cells from all follicles taken after 96-102 h had a reduced oestradiol output compared to those isolated after 72-78 h (P less than 0.02). Recombined cells from the unluteinized follicles at 96-102 h (Group I) showed similar oestradiol output in the presence of androstenedione, testosterone and DHEA to the cells from follicles taken at 72-78 h. However, the recombined cells from the luteinized follicles (Group II) showed a reduced output of oestradiol in the presence of androstenedione, testosterone and DHEA when compared to the recombined cells from the previous period cultured with the corresponding C19 steroid. The results show that a reduced oestradiol output can be caused by (1) the reduced availability of aromatizable substrate and (2) a reduced potential aromatase activity.