The effect of estrous cycle and buthionine sulfoximine on glutathione release from the in vitro perfused rat ovary

There is little known regarding the intracellular mechanisms of modification of damage in the ovary. Ovarian perfusion of en block dissections of the rat right ovary with aorta and vena cava were done to determine (a) if glutathione (GSH) is released by the ovary, (b) if the release is cycle dependent, and (c) if GSH released is the product of de novo ovarian synthesis. All perfused ovaries released GSH and the release was maximal at estrus and least at metestrus. Perfusion with buthionine sulfoximine, a specific inhibitor of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in GSH released, indicating inhibition of de novo synthesis during perfusion.