Heparin-like activity in porcine follicular fluid and rat granulosa cells.

Heparin-like activity is present in rat and porcine follicular fluids, as determined by measuring the acceleration of the inactivation of purified human thrombin by antithrombin III. The heparin-like activity is dose-dependent and specific to follicular fluid proteoglycans. Cartilage proteoglycans do not exhibit this activity at any of the concentrations tested. The activity of these macromolecules resides in the polysaccharide unit. Destruction of the protein core of the follicular fluid proteoglycans by alkaline borohydride treatment does not interfere with the "heparin-like" effect, whereas it is completely destroyed by digestion with purified heparinase. Incubation with chondroitinases has no effect. Granulosa cells which are the source of follicular fluid proteoglycans express biologically active heparin-like mucopolysaccharides. These molecules are produced under gonadotropin regulation and are associated with the cell surface material.