Inhibitory and stimulatory actions of danazol in rat ovarian and uterine tissues

We examined whether danazol has a direct action on ovarian steroid secretion and/ or uterine prostaglandin (PG) F 2α catabolic activity in immature rats in which the first ovulation was induced and in adult ovariectomized rats. The preovulatory surge of estradiol and progesterone was markedly suppressed together with that of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by danazol administration under conditions that blocked the first ovulation. Uterine weight and PGF 2α catabolic activity enhanced by endogenous estrogen were greatly decreased by danazol treatment at a dose that did not block the first ovulation in immature rats. When danazol (30 mg) was given s.c. once daily for 2 days to ovariectomized rats, the uterine weight and PGF 2α catabolic activity per uterus were clearly increased, and the compensatory increase in FSH levels as a result of castration was not influenced, although the compensatory increase in LH levels was inhibited. These results demonstrate that danazol has a direct action on the ovary and uterus, and give further support to the view put forward in our previous paper that these actions of danazol may contribute to its therapeutic effects.