Luteinizing hormone-induced depletion of ascorbic acid in the rat ovary

¹ Gynecology Division of the Surgical Service, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Luteinizing hormone specifically depletes the pseudopregnant rat ovary of ascorbic acid. This depletion takes place from the corpora lutea as determined by cytochemical methods. The depletion reaction has a characteristic time sequence which resembles that seen in the adrenal gland but takes place over a more prolonged period of time. The onset of depletion is within 15 min of the injection of purified luteinizing hormone, reaches maximum intensity at 3 hr, and ends by 19 hr when a rebound effect is seen. The most striking cytochemical finding is that of "clumping" of ascorbic acid granules, which is first noted at 3 hr and persists until depletion ends at 19 hr. The physiologic significance of this reaction is not well understood.