ROLE OF LEUKOTRIENE C-4 IN FOLLICLE-STIMULATING-HORMONE (FSH) SECRETION IN FEMALE RAT PITUITARY

Leukotriene C-4, at doses of 0.01 and 0.1 nmol/l added to superfused c ells in pulses of 4-min duration, evoked follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release up to 12- to 26-fold of basal secretion. Higher and lowe r concentrations of leukotriene C-4 were not able to induce FSH secret ion. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced FSH release was red uced by 38-57% by the leukotriene receptor antagonist FPL 55712 (10 mu mol/l). Moreover, we have shown that FSH release occurs parallel to l eukotriene C-4 synthesis in rat anterior pituitary cells. Mellitin (10 0 nmol/l). an activator of phospholipase A(2), induced FSH and radioac tivity secretion in rat anterior pituitary cells previously preincubat ed for 24 h with [H-3]arachidonic acid (AA).