PREOVULATORY CHANGES IN THE PERIFOLLICULAR CAPILLARY NETWORK IN THE RAT - ROLE OF EICOSANOIDS

The aim of this study was to evaluate morphometrically the influence of ovulation-inhibiting doses of indomethacin, an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase pathway, and esculetin and caffeic acid, inhibitors of the lipoxygenase pathway, on the dilatation of the perifollicular capillary network in the theca interna. The development of the perifollicular capillary network as a function of follicular size and the changes in the vascular lumen were examined by light microscopy on a series of semithin cross sections of rat ovaries. The number of capillaries in the theca interna increased linearly with increasing follicle diameter. Thus, the relative number of capillaries in the theca interna supplying the avascular stratum granulosum remained constant. This indicates that follicular function is not regulated through changes in the number of capillaries in the theca interna. After hCG injection, an increase in the capillary area could be observed in follicles having a diameter of more than 600-mu-m. Indomethacin administration increased the capillary area of the ovulatory follicles as compared to the untreated side only at 6 h after treatment. By contrast, treatment with inhibitors of lipoxygenase resulted in a significant decrease in the capillary area of large follicles at all times examined (3, 6, and 9 h after hCG injection). Nevertheless, since both types of eicosanoid inhibitors suppressed follicle rupture, in spite of their opposing actions on the capillary area, it seems unlikely that their action on ovulation is primarily due to their effect on this parameter.