ENTRY OF ASCORBIC ACID INTO CORPUS LUTEUM IN VIVO AND IN VITRO AND EFFECT OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE

Judged from the exchange rate between luteal and plasma ascorbic acid there appears to be no com-partmentalization of ascorbic acid within the corpus luteum. Evidence is presented to show that the uptake of ascorbic acid into slices of superovulated rat ovary is an energy-dependent process which is inhibited by luteinizing hormone (LH) by means of its stimulatory effect on progesterone synthesis. The results are discussed in relation to the adrenal cortex and methods involving ascorbic acid depletion used in the assay of corticotrophin and LH.