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EFFECT OF MATING ON FOLLICULAR FLUID STEROIDS IN THE RABBIT

A number of previous investigations have dealt with steroid levels in follicular fluid of the mare (Short, 1961; van Rensburg & van Niekerk, 1968; YoungLai, 1971), the cow (Short, 1962; Lunaas, 1964) and human (Abraham, Odell, Edwards & Purdy, 1970). With the development of highly sensitive methods for the detection of steroids in small amounts of biological material, it was of interest to determine whether steroids could be detected in follicular fluid of a reflex ovulator such as the rabbit. It was felt that by adopting this approach more direct evidence would be obtained for the synthesis and release of oestrogen by the ovarian follicle of this species.

Sexually mature, virgin, New Zealand white rabbits (3·5 to 5·5 kg) were used. Does were mated to a fertile buck. Anaesthesia was induced with