Contraction of the ovarian follicle induced by local stimulation of its sympathetic nerves.

Strips of bovine ovarian follicle wall, known to contain smooth muscle cells innervated by adrenergic nerves, were dissected out and exposed to transmural electrical stimulation in an organ bath. A frequency-dependent contractile response was obtained with a maximum at 8-16 Hz. The response was abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin and inhibited by bretylium, phentolamine and reserpine. Thus, stimulation of the sympathetic nerves in the ovarian follicle releases sufficient amounts of norepinephrine to produce a contraction of its wall, an effect mediated by alpha-adrenergic receptors.