The effects of intrafollicular injections of plasmin and E-aminocaproic acid on the ovulation in the ewe

Abstract The effects of the proteolytic enzyme plasmin and the plasmin inhibitor ϵ-aminocaproic acid (EACA) on the rupture of the follicular wall were studied in the sheep. Injections into mature follicles of the same size and morphology located at the same ovary showed that plasmin increases, while EACA decreases, significantly the incidence of follicle rupture compared to this incidence after intrafollicular injections of the buffered diluent of these agents (controls). The present in vivo study provides evidence that plasmin plays a significant role in the process of the rupture of the follicular wall during ovulation as has been previously shown for plasminogen activator activity.