Phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-methyl-xanthine affects rabbit ovaries and oviduct.

The aim of our study was to examine the influence of 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX), an inhibitor of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) phosphodiesterases on rabbit reproductive system. The ovarian cycle and ovulation of control rabbits were induced by gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) or equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) followed by the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration. Experimental animals received GnRH together with IBMX (at 50 or 500 microg/animal) or eCG and hCG together with IBMX (at 5 or 257 microg/animal).