Bioscientifica Proceedings

The ovulatory process is extraordinary in that it constitutes a hormone- induced injury. Gonadotropin delivered via the follicular vascular wreath stimulates secretion of plasminogen activator by contiguous ovarian surface epithelial cells. A consequent elevation in interstitial plasmin activates collagenases and cleaves tumor necrosis factor α from its anchors on endothelium. Collagen fibril degradation and cellular death at the apex of the preovulatory follicle are hall...