Ovaries removed at each of 4 stages of the estrous cycle were sliced and incubated to determine total synthesis of estradiol- 17β and estrone from endogenous precursors, or conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone-7-3H to these products. Synthesis of estradiol-17β, as determined by either criterion, was maximal in ovaries removed at proestrus. Although not statistically significant, some synthesis also appeared to occur in ovaries from estrous rats. The method was not sufficiently sensitive to measure differences in estrone synthesis. Conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone-7-3H to estrogens occurred to some degree at all stages of the estrous cycle, but no synthesis could be detected fluorometrically in ovaries from metestrous or diestrous rats. Some evidence was found for stimulation of estradiol-17β synthesis by LH in ovaries of diestrous rats, but a significant decrease in synthesis was found in ovaries of proestrous and estrous rats. Thus, a diminution in estrogen secretion associated with luteinization is implied as an early effect of LH in the rat. (Endocrinology 84: 252, 1969)
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Chatterton et al. (1969) studied this question.