THE EFFECT OF RAPAMYCIN ON SECRETORY ACTIVITY OF THE RABBIT OVARIAN FRAGMENTS

The aim of our study was to examine the effect of rapamycin on secretory activity of the rabbit ovarian fragments. The secretion of steroid (progesterone, testosterone, estradiol) and peptide (prolactine) hormones by ovarian fragments after rapamycin addition at the doses 0, 1, 10, 100 μg.ml-1 was determined. Fragments were incubated with rapamycin for 48 hours. Hormones were determinated by RIA. The experimental data showed that, addition of rapamycin did not affect progesterone and prolactine release (at all doses). Estradiol secretion was inhibited by rapamycin at the doses of 1, 10 and 100 μg.ml-1. Testosterone was inhibited by the rapamycin at the doses of 1 and 10 μg.ml-1 but not at 100 μg.ml-1. In conclusion, our results suggest a direct effect of rapamycin on ovarian functionsand a possible involvement in the regulation of steroidogenesis.