Regulation of collagenolysis and cell death by plasmin within the formative stigma of preovulatory ovine follicles.

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Collagen breakdown and apoptotic cell death within the apex of the preovulatory ovine follicle are characteristic of impending rupture. It has been hypothesized that plasmin regulates these two responses by activating collagenases and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), respectively. Apical plasmin bioactivity, collagenolysis, TNF-α-mediated fragmentation of cellular DNA (a marker of apoptosis), stigma formation, and follicular rupture in sheep were inhibited by intrafollicular injection of α2-antiplasmin. Explants of follicular wall released hydroxyproline-containing peptides (degraded collagen) and bioactive TNF-α upon exposure to plasmin. These results indicate that plasmin has an essential intermediary role in the biomechanics of ovulatory ovarian tissue dissolution.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: