NEUROHYPOPHYSEAL REGULATION OF OVARIAN-FUNCTION - OXYTOCIN AND VASOPRESSIN RECEPTORS IN HUMAN OVARIES

Aim of this study was to explore whether oxytocin (OT) binds to human ovarian tissue since the presence of arginine vasopressin (AVP) recept ors are prerequisite for OT and AVP action during menstrual cycle. Hum an ovarian stroma bounds both (3H)OT and (3H)AVP with similar affinity . The OT and AVP receptor concentrations varied cyclically. In human o varian stroma the concentrations were highest in late luteal phase for both neuropeptides but in all three phases of the menstrual cycle the number of AVP binding sites were statistically significantly higher t han those for OT. Because ovaries produce OT and AVP, the results sugg est a paracrine or autocrine role for neuropeptides in luteolysis and ovulation.