# OVULATION--STUDIES USING IN VITRO PERFUSED OVARIES

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 1992 · $143,925

## Abstract

Three aspects of the periovulatory interval will be studied in the
rabbit:  1) follicle wall disruption (ovulation); 2) oocyte
maturation (nuclear and cytoplasmic); and 3) corpus luteum
formation.  An in vitro perfused ovary preparation will be used to
isolate the ovary from systemic influences, regulate the contents
of the perfusion fluid, and determine constituents of the effluent
during the periovulatory interval.  Interrelationships among
ovarian prostaglandins, enzymatic activity and follicle rupture
will be explored in vivo and in vitro using specific plasminogen
activators (streptokinase, tPA) and enzyme inhibitors (tAMCHA,
epsilon-amino caproic acid, aprotinin, and alpha 2-macroglobulin)
as well as prostaglandins (PGF2 alpha, PGI2) and the prostaglandin
synthetase inhibitor, indomethacin.  The role of the ovarian renin-
angiotensin system during the periovulatory interval will be
studied using combinations of angiotensin II and its antagonists
and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.  The effects of
estradiol, prolactin, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on
attainment of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes will
be investigated using in vitro ovulated oocytes and cultured
oocyte-cumulus complexes inseminated in vitro and followed to the
blastocyst stage.  The site of action of estradiol and prolactin
on oocyte cytoplasmic maturation will be investigated by means of
pronuclear and cytoplasmic transplantation.  The perfusion system
will be used to investigate structure/function relationships during
the process of conversion of the ruptured follicle into a corpus
luteum.  The effect of preovulatory influences on corpus luteum
formation will also be studied using inhibitors of steroidogenesis,
an estrogen antagonist, and EGF.  Transmission electron microscopy
will be employed to study ultrastructure of the follicle wall in
experiments designed to elucidate the mechanism(s) of ovulation and
corpus luteum formation.  Casts of perifollicular vessels will be
examined by scanning electron microscopy for periovulatory vascular
changes.  Estradiol, progesterone, prostaglandins, and angiogenic
activity will be assayed in the venous effluent from ovarian
perfusion experiments throughout the periovulatory interval.  An
in depth knowledge of the periovulatory interval (follicle rupture,
oocyte maturation, and corpus luteum formation) is critical for
developing new methods for improving reproductive performance and
for achieving fertility control.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197814
- **Project number:** 5R01HD019430-08
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FTMTDMBR29C7
- **Principal Investigator:** EDWARD E WALLACH
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $143,925
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-03-01 → 1994-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197814

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197814, OVULATION--STUDIES USING IN VITRO PERFUSED OVARIES (5R01HD019430-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-26 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197814. Licensed CC0.

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