Figure 6

Cortisol concentration in the ovarian follicular fluid and secreted in vitro in follicular wall. In A is shown the cortisol concentration in follicular fluid and In B is shown of cortisol secreted following stimulation with β-receptor agonist (isoproterenol, 10 uM) and with 5 IU hCG. Follicular wall slides were incubated for 3 h in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer (basal), 10 uM isoproterenol (ISO) or 5 IU hCG. Results are expressed as ng cortisol per ml of incubation medium per mg of tissue. Each bar represents the mean ± SEM of four independent observations per group. * = p < 0.01 vs Small antral (SA); **= p < 0.01 vs Preoulatory follicles (PO). a= p < 0.05 vs. basal (PO and Cystic).