Enzyme Activity in the Fluid of the Human Ovarian Follicle

Abstract

By using photometric techniques on standardized test substances, we measured the activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, leucine aminopeptidase, aldolase, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), LDH isoenzyme 1 and malate dehydrogenase in the fluid of human tertiary and Graafian follicles and, by way of comparison, that of ovarian cysts and the serum. All the enzymes, with the exception of alkaline phosphatase, were active to statistically significantly different degrees in the various fluid samples. The activity of the two glycolytic enzymes in particular was statistically significantly higher in the fluid of the tertiary follicle than in any of the other fluids for which measurements were taken.

Acid and alkaline phosphatase in bovine antral follicles.

“…Its concentration was greatest in the smaller antral follicles; the results reported here are similar to those from bovine follicle pools (Van Kampen, 1978; Wise, 1987) as well as those reported for pigs (McGaughey, 1975;Chang et al. 1976), mares and ewes (Henderson and Cupps, unpublished data) and women (Caucig et al, 1972;Breitnecker et al, 1973). The inverse relationship between follicle size and ACUN would suggest some relationship between its activity and follicle growth.…”

“…Regulation of follicle development is not fully understood; however, phosphatase enzymes have been implicated in both growth and atresia. Phosphatase enzymes are constituents of follicular fluid from cows (Caravaglios and Cilotti, 1957), pigs (McGaughey, 1975) and women (Caucig et al, 1972). The greatest concentration of acid phosphatase (AcP) was found in fluid from the smallest follicles of cows (Van Kampen, 1978;Henderson and Cupps, 1981; Wise, 1987), pigs (Chang et al, 1976) and women (Breimecker et al, 1973).…”

Biochemical and hormonal analysis of follicular fluid and serum of female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) with different sized ovarian follicles

“…In addition, granulosa cells which have a large store of cholesteryl esters may offer free cholesterol for the preovulatory progesterone or overall steroidogenesis (Endresen et al, 1990). Phosphatase enzymes play a vital role in follicular growth and atresia and are constituents of follicular fluid of female camels , humans (Caucig et al, 1972), pigs (McGaughey, 1975 and cows (Henderson and Cupps, 1990). ALP plays a role in the active transport of nutrients and secretary material across the membrane (Sangha and Guraya, 1988;Sharma, 2000).…”