FIG. 6.

In cultured follicles, PDE5 inhibitors prevent LH-induced maturation, and DEA augments this effect. Groups of 10–20 POFs were used for each experimental condition. A) Follicles were preincubated with or without 1 μM sildenafil (SIL) for 1 h, followed by 10 μM DEA for 5 min when indicated. POFs were stimulated with 5 IU of rLH for 4 h; follicles were then punctured, and oocytes were scored for signs of meiotic resumption (GVBD). B) Follicles were preincubated in the presence of 1 μM tadalafil (TADA) for 1.5 h and then stimulated with rLH. C) Follicles were preincubated for 1.5 h in the presence of 1 μM tadalafil with or without LH stimulation, and meiotic resumption was scored at the end of overnight culture. The graphs show the mean ± SEM of at least three independent experiments. Different letters at the top of the bars indicate statistical difference, where P < 0.01.