In vivo evidence that local cortisol production increases in the preovulatory follicle of the cow

The aim of the present in vivo study was to monitor real-time fluctuations of cortisol (Cr) in the wall of preovulatory follicles using a microdialysis system (MDS) implanted in the theca layer as well as changes in ovarian venous plasma (OVP) and jugular venous plasma (JVP). Seven cows were superovulated using FSH and prostaglandin F2α injections. Dialysis capillary membranes were surgically implanted into the theca layer of mature follicles and connected to a microdialysis system. Fractions of the perfusates were collected from Day -1 (Day 0=LH surge) to Day 3. No difference in the concentrations of Cr between JVP and OVP was detected throughout the experiment. Circulating concentrations of Cr ranged from 20 to 35 ng/ml 8 h after surgery in ovulatory and anovulatory cows. In five ovulatory cows, the Cr concentration decreased to basal levels (<10 ng/ml) between 12 and 24 h after surgery, however, two anovulatory cows retained high Cr levels (>10 ng/ml) up to 42 h after surgery. There was a clear increase in the local concentration of Cr from 13.3 ± 2.1 pg/ml at -24 h to 27.5 ± 1.7 pg/ml at 0 h (peak of the LH surge) within the wall of ovulatory follicles. This increase was not detected in anovulatory follicles. This transient increase in Cr occurred only in the follicle wall, but not in the OVP or JVP, indicating that the presence of a local regulatory mechanism for Cr production/conversion in ovulatory follicles, and this mechanism may modulate the inflammatory-like reaction induced by LH surge in the follicle wall. The present results demonstrate that the glucocorticoid environment in the follicular wall adjusts at the local level in bovine ovulatory follicles. This mechanism may protect follicles from the adverse effects of glucocorticoid, and it may prevent excess inflammatory reactions associated with ovulation by temporarily increasing local concentrations of glucocorticoid, thus forming an integral part of the regulatory mechanism in ovarian physiology.