Ovarian cAMP and cGMP fluctuations in the hamster during the oestrous cycle

Abstract

CGMP, cAMP and total DNA levels were determined in whole hamster ovaries on each day of the 4-day cycle. Proestrous ovaries were removed during the time of the preovulatory lutropin surge (confirmed by radioimmunoassay). cAMP levels (pmol/mg DNA) were highest during proestrus (1268.0 .+-. 139 (standard error of the mean)) and lowest during diestrus 2 (266.9 .+-. 22). cGMP (pmol/mg DNA) levels were highest at diestrus 2 (87.2 .+-. 19) and lowest during estrus (11.9 .+-. 2). Similar patterns were obtained with total pmol/4 ovaries. Expressed, there was an inverse correlation of cAMP and cGMP at diestrus 2 (P < 0.02) and proestrus (P < 0.001). cGMP was inversely correlated with total DNA levels (P < 0.02) at estrus and diestrus 2.