The role of cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA)- and tyrosine kinase (TK)-dependent intracellular mechanisms in mediating the action of porcine growth hormone (GH) on insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) secretion by porcine ovarian granulosa cells was studied. It was observed that GH-induced stimulation of IGF-I secretion was accompanied by an increase in cAMP production. The stimulation of PKA by the addition of either a cAMP agonist or a phosphodiesterase inhibitor to the medium increased IGF-I release by the cells, indicating a direct stimulation of IGF-I release by cyclic nucleotides. Moreover, the stimulatory effect of GH on IGF-I was completely suppressed by the addition of the PKA blocker Rp-cAMPS. Neither TK blocker altered the basal IGF-I level, but both strongly suppressed the GH-induced increase in IGF-I accumulation. Taken together, these findings suggest that cAMP/PKA- and/or TK-dependent pathways may be involved in the mediation of GH action on IGF-I release by porcine granulosa cells.