[Effect of progesterone on lipolysis in blood and adipose tissue of the female rat].

The effect of progesterone on lipolysis in blood and in adipose tissue of female rats has been investigated. The hormone was administered to the studied animals subcutaneously during 20 days. The lipid mobilizing activity was determined in blood serum according to the four experimental protocols: test serum--test tissue, test serum--control tissue, control serum--test tissue, and control serum--control tissue. Blood serum concentrations of triglycerides, free fatty acids and glucose, as well as lipolytic activity against exogenous substrate, were determined in addition. Progesterone administration was found to enhance the activity of factors potentiating lipolysis in adipose tissue of female rats after 20 days administration of the hormone. There was an increase in free fatty acids, triglycerides and glucose concentrations. Progesterone was found not to change the activity of factors influencing lipolysis in the blood of female rats during the period of administration of the hormone.