In the present study, changes in localization of each inhibin subunit in the ovary were investigated during the estrous cycle of the golden hamster. The effect of LH surge on changes in localization in inhibin α subunit in the ovary was also investigated.

Inhibin α subunit was localized in granulosa cells of various stages of follicles throughout the estrous cycle. Inhibin α subunit was also present in numerous interstitial cells on days 1 and 2 (day 1 = day of ovulation), but the number of positive interstitial cells was fewer on days 3 and almost disappeared on day 4 of the estrous cycle. Newly formed luteal cells were also positive for inhibin α subunit on days 1 and 2. On the other hand, positive reactions for inhibin βA and βB subunits were only present in the granulosa cells of healthy antral follicles. However, a positive reaction for inhibin βB subunit in peripheral mural granulosa cells disappeared on days 3 and 4 of the estrous cycle. Treatment with LHRH-AS at 1100 h on day 4 completely blocked the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and ovulation, although relatively high concentrations of plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were maintained throughout the experiment. There were few positive reactions for inhibin α subunit in theca and interstitial cells 24 hr after LHRH-AS injection. The effect of LHRH-AS treatment was blocked by a single injection of 10 IU human chorionic gonadotropin.

These results suggest that the major source of dimeric inhibin in the cyclic hamster was granulosa cells of healthy antral follicles. Different distribution pattern of inhibin βA from βB subunits in large antral follicles on days 3 and 4 of the estrous cycle suggests different secretion patterns of inhibin A from B on these days. Furthermore, the LH surge may be an important factor to induce production of inhibin α subunit in interstitial cells of the cyclic hamster.