THE PROGESTERONE CONTENT OF THE FLUID AND THE ACTIVITY OF THE STEROID-3β-OL-DEHYDROGENASE WITHIN THE WALL OF THE OVARIAN FOLLICLES

Abstract

ABSTRACT During gynaecological operations, in which the removal of one or both ovaries was indicated, follicles at different stages of the menstrual cycle were punctured and aspirated. The progesterone content of the fluid was determined by gas-liquid-chromatography. The progesterone content of the fluid of tertiary follicles is between 9 and 1900 ng/ml, the average being 290 ng/ml, and shows similar values during the follicular, the preovulatory and the luteal phases. The progesterone content is much higher in the fluid of Graafian follicles. The values are between 2290 and 14 000 ng/ml which is 1000 to 10 000 times higher than the content of the plasma. The histochemical demonstration of the steroid-3β-ol-dehydrogenase within the granulosa cell layer of the Graafian follicles suggests that small amounts of progesterone are produced there even before ovulation.