MEASUREMENT AND IDENTIFICATION OF PRORENIN AND RENIN IN OVARIAN FOLLICULAR-FLUID FROM CATTLE AND PIG

1. In previous studies we have demonstrated and solved several methodological problems in relation to the measurement of prorenin by trypsin activation in rat, bovine, hog and horse plasma. 2. The aim of the present study was to develop a method for the measurement of prorenin in bovine and porcine ovarian follicular fluid. 3. Trypsin activation of follicular fluid generated angiotensin I immunoreactive material (AI IM) in both species. 4. The AI IM interfered with the renin assay, but could be completely removed by a cation exchange resin in a batch-wise technique. 5. The enzymatic activity of trypsin-activated prorenin and pre-existing active renin was completely inhibited by a specific inhibitor of renin. 6. The reactions were optimized and an accurate measurement of prorenin in ovarian follicular fluid was developed. 7. The existence of prorenin and renin in bovine ovarian follicular fluid was established. Prorenin and renin in porcine ovarian follicular fluid was demonstrated for the first time. 8. The ratio between ovarian follicular fluid and plasma was 43 for prorenin and 19 for active renin in cattle. The same ratios in pigs were 1.3 and 0.4, respectively. These findings indicate a species difference with respect to the amount of prorenin or active renin present in ovarian follicular fluid.