Gonadotropic hormones PMSG (15 IU/rat), FSH (3 μg/rat), LH (9 μg/rat) and hCG (3 μg/rat) were shown to decrease the free cytosolic lysosomal enzymes during the acute phase of hormone action in rat ovaries. When isolated cells from such rats were analyzed for the cathepsin-D activity, the granulosa cells of the ovary showed a reduction in the free as well as in the total lysosomal enzyme activities in response to FSH/PMSG; the stromal and thecal compartment of the ovary showed a reduction only in the free activity in response to hCG/PMSG. The results suggest the presence of two distinct, target cell specific, mechanisms by which the lysosmal activity of the ovary is regulated by gonadotropins.

Keywords:
gonadotropins, PMSG, FSH, LH, hCG, lysosomes, cathepsin-D
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© 1988 Plenum Publishing Corporation
1988
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