bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF CRF ON MAINTENANCE OF THE ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC FUNCTION OF ANTERIOR PITUITARY GRAFTS
Authors: CRITCHLOW V. , LIPSCOMB H. S. , GUILLEMIN R.
Published: December 2008

Rats were hypophysectomized and their own anterior pituitary glands transplanted under the kidney capsule. Effects of chronic administration of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), lysin-vasopressin and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) on the adrenocorticotrophic activity of the pituitary grafts were studied using as criteria the concentration of ACTH in the grafts, resting levels of circulating plasma corticosterone, adrenal weight and also response of the graft to a challenge dose of CRF measuring plasma and adrenal corticosterone levels 12 min. later. The results show that prolonged administration of CRF has maintained synthesis of ACTH by the transplanted pituitary as well as its ability to release ACTH when acutely stimulated by CRF. These results were not duplicated by the administration of lysin-vasopressin or α-MSH in conditions identical to the ones used for studying CRF, and using doses equivalent to the vasopressor and melanophoretic activities of this particular preparation of CRF.
STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF HORMONE ADMINISTRATION ON BODY WEIGHT AND ON TIBIAL EPIPHYSIAL CARTILAGE WIDTH IN INTACT, HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED AND ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: THOMPSON HELEN E. C. CARGILL , CREAN G. P.
Published: December 2008

1. The effects of feeding, hormone administration, unilateral nephrectomy and adrenalectomy on width of tibial cartilage and total body weight in intact and hypophysectomized young male rats were measured.

2. Unilateral nephrectomy and adrenalectomy have no effect on the cartilage width of both intact and hypophysectomized rats, although adrenalectomy causes a loss in weight in the intact rat.

3. Intact rats, both young and adult, fed enough to maintain but not to put on weight, show a reduction of cartilage width to hypophysectomized levels.

4. Growth hormone alone (1 mg. and 3 mg./day for 14 days) causes a marked increase in cartilage width but only a 50–60% increase in total body weight in the hypophysectomized rat.

5. Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH: 2 i.u./day for 14 days) causes a significant reduction in both cartilage width and total body weight in the hypophysectomized rat.

6. Thyrotrophin (TSH: 1 i.u./day) and Prolactin (1 mg. and 2 mg./day) caused significant increases in both total body weight and cartilage width in the hypophysectomized rat.

7. Luteinizing hormone (LH: 0·01 mg./day) together with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH: 1·0 mg./day) caused a significant increase in body weight, but had no effect on cartilage width in the hypophysectomized rat.

8. Both doses of combined hormones (growth hormone, ACTH, TSH, prolactin, FSH and LH administered together) caused a marked increase in cartilage width and a smaller increase in total body weight in the hypophysectomized rat.
SIZE AND PRODUCTION RATE OF THE OESTRADIOL AND OESTRONE MISCIBLE BODY POOL OF A HEALTHY WOMAN
Authors: MORSE W. I. , CLARK A. F. , MACLEOD S. C.
Published: December 2008

Tracer doses (1 μg.) of tritiated oestradiol-17β were administered to a healthy 36-year-old woman on the 19th day of a 29-day ovulatory cycle and the 6th day of the following cycle. Urine was collected for 5 days after each injection and was assayed for oestradiol, oestrone, oestriol and for radioactivity in these oestrogen fractions. The data were used to calculate the size of the oestradiol-plus-oestrone miscible body pool (approx. 227 μg. on day 19 and 61 μg. on day 6).

There was evidence that the label was mixed throughout most of the pool within a few hours of its injection.

The percentages of injected radioactivity excreted with the three oestrogens studied were similar for both studies. The oestriol recovery was greater than that reported by other investigators following injections of massive doses of oestradiol. The calculated endogenous production rate of oestradiol was approximately 165 μg./day on day 19 and 93 μg./day on day 6. The findings also indicated that oestrone and oestradiol were the source of essentially all endogenously produced oestriol.
THE EFFECT OF OESTROGEN AND THYROXINE ON THE BLOOD VOLUME OF THE DOMESTIC COCK
Authors: GILBERT A. B.
Published: December 2008

The influence of thyroxine and oestrogen on blood, plasma and erythrocyte volumes of the domestic fowl was investigated. During the 1st week of oestrogen treatment the haematocrit values, erythrocyte and blood volumes decreased significantly. After 2 weeks, plasma volume increased, blood volume returned to normal, and erythrocyte volume remained at its previously low value. The simultaneous injection of thyroxine with oestrogen prevented these changes, and in this respect thyroxine is antagonistic to oestrogen. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the possible mode of action of these two hormones.
THE EFFECT OF HOUSING CONDITIONS AND SIMPLE EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES UPON THE CORTICOSTERONE LEVEL IN THE PLASMA OF RATS
Authors: BARRETT A. M. , STOCKHAM M. A.
Published: December 2008

The concentration of corticosterone in the plasma of rats has been determined by a spectrophotofluorimetric method.

Animals housed in single cages, undisturbed for 18 hr. prior to testing show reproducible levels of 5·5 μg./100 ml. plasma. Rats housed in groups of 20 under the same conditions exhibit mean levels of 9·5 μg./100 ml.

Non-specific stimuli such as environmental change, noise, handling, weighing and intraperitoneal injections all produce marked increases in plasma corticosterone levels which remain supernormal for at least 2 hr.

The variation in the literature reports of 'resting' plasma corticosterone levels is discussed in the light of the present findings.
SUPEROVULATION IN THE IMMATURE RAT FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH PMS ALONE AND INHIBITION OF PMS-INDUCED OVULATION
Authors: ZARROW M. X. , QUINN D. L.
Published: December 2008

Superovulation can be induced in the immature rat by PMS alone or PMS followed by HCG. Treatment with PMS alone caused an initial average response of 2·8 ova at an age of 20 days and a maximum average response of 70·8 ova at age 28. Treatment with PMS and HCG resulted in an initial average response of 0·3 ova at age 18 days and an average maximum of 61 ova at 22 days of age. A marked drop to approximately 8–10 ova was noted at 45 days of age following both types of treatment. Hypophysectomy revealed that the pituitary gland was necessary for the release of ova following injection of PMS alone. Removal of the pituitary gland as late as 52 hr. after injection of PMS prevented ovulation. Inhibition of ovulation by treatment with dibenamine, SKF-501, atropine and 'Nembutal' following injection of PMS alone led to the concept that superovulation following PMS involves a neural link that is responsible for the endogenous release of LH.
THYMUS AND INFLAMMATION
Authors: GIRERD R. J. , DI PASQUALE G.
Published: December 2008

The reversal of cortisone action on formaldehyde arthritis reported by Csaba, Törő, Horváth, Ács & Mold (1962) after thymectomy in the rat did not occur using either the cotton pellet, the granuloma pouch or the acute paw-oedema procedures. Thymectomy alone caused a reduction of inflammation in both the cotton pellet and the granuloma pouch methods but had no effect on acute formaldehyde-induced paw-oedema. It is concluded that the thymus is not essential for the anti-inflammatory activity of cortisone.
INFLUENCE OF MASSAGE OF THE SEMINAL VESICLES AND AMPULLAE AND OF COITUS ON WATER DIURESIS OF THE RAM
Authors: PEETERS G. , DEBACKERE M.
Published: December 2008

Massage of the seminal vesicles and ampullae was carried out 68 times during 35 diuresis experiments on 6 sexually mature rams. The animals had received a hydrating dose of water. In 52 cases (76%) definite inhibition of water diuresis was observed accompanied by increased concentrations of chloride, sodium and potassium in the urine. Ejaculation was observed after 42 stimuli (61%).

The influence of coitus on water diuresis was studied on 5 rams in 24 experiments. In 17 cases out of 48 (35%) coitus caused definite inhibition of water diuresis together with increased concentrations of chloride, sodium and potassium in the urine. These antidiuretic responses were weaker than those observed after massage of the seminal vesicles and ampullae. Evidence of ejaculation was obtained after coitus on 37 occasions (77%).

The antidiuretic action of physiological doses of oxytocin was very low. The inhibition of urine flow induced by massage of the seminal vesicles and ampullae or coitus could be imitated by intravenous injection of physiological doses of ADH. The mean antidiuretic effects in response to massage were matched by injection of 3–4 mu. Pitressin. The mean antidiuretic effects induced by coitus were equivalent to 2 mu. Pitressin.

It is concluded that there is a release of ADH in response to massage of the seminal vesicles and ampullae. There is some evidence that a similar phenomenon occurs during coitus.
THE OVARY OF THE 13-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL (CITELLUS TRIDECEMLINEATUS MITCHELL) AFTER ADRENALECTOMY
Authors: JONES I. CHESTER , HENDERSON I. W.
Published: December 2008

This paper gives an account of a re-investigation of the work of Groat (1943, 1944). It shows that, apart from animals dying from extraneous causes, the female ground squirrel in anoestrus, some 5 weeks after adrenalectomy, is in good condition, grows, prefers tap-water, and has electrolyte concentrations in blood and muscle similar to those of control animals. In the absence of the adrenals, new tissue appears in the ovaries and, more rarely, in extra-ovarian sites, and reasons are given for considering it to be adrenocortical both in form and function. The origin of this presumptive adrenocortical tissue and the implications of its formation are discussed.
UNIT ACTIVITY IN THE HYPOTHALAMUS OF THE CYCLIC FEMALE RAT: EFFECT OF GENITAL STIMULI AND PROGESTERONE
Authors: BARRACLOUGH C. A. , CROSS B. A.
Published: December 2008

Unit activity in the hypothalamus and other diencephalic regions was recorded with stereotaxically oriented steel microelectrodes in adult female rats under light urethane anaesthesia.

Spontaneous firing rates of neurones varied from < 1/10 sec. to > 50/sec., but the majority fired at 1–10/sec. Some variations in the pattern of firing are described.

Acceleration of firing rate was most readily induced by pain stimuli (64% of neurones) and then by cold (60%), probing the cervix (47%), smell (20%), light (5%) and noise (3%) in that order. A minority of neurones were inhibited by the stimuli.

Many neurones responded to several different stimuli, most commonly by accelerating to cervical probing, cold and pain. Inhibitory convergence was also observed, e.g. blockade of the response to cervical probing by an olfactory stimulus, and inhibition by cervical probing of the response to cold or pain.

The proportion of neurones excited by smell in prooestrous rats was more than double that in oestrous or dioestrous rats. Oestrous rats had relatively more neurones which were unresponsive or inhibited by the test stimuli.

Slow intravenous injection of 400 μg. progesterone induced a selective depression of the response of lateral hypothalamic neurones to cervical probing. The effect was maximal at about 30 min. and full recovery occurred in 1 hr.

The possible significance of these observations is discussed with particular reference to the neural control of luteotrophin secretion.
THE ADRENAL CORTEX AND RENAL SODIUM AND POTASSIUM EXCRETION IN THE NEWBORN RAT
Authors: BENTLEY P. J.
Published: December 2008

1. The effects of an aldosterone blocking agent (SC-11927) and of corticotrophin, aldosterone and cortisol on renal function were tested on infant rats aged 1 to 17 days.

2. SC-11927 had no effect on the Na/K ratio in the urine of rats until they were 12 days old.

3. d-Aldosterone depressed the Na/K ratio on the 1st day after birth, potassium concentration increased but a decrease in sodium concentration was not seen until the 6th day.

4. Cortisol elevated the Na/K ratio on the 1st day after birth, both sodium and potassium concentration increased. At 6 days potassium concentration alone was increased.

5. Corticotrophin did not affect the composition of the urine until the animals were 12 days old when the potassium concentration increased.
THE CONVERSION OF PROGESTERONE INTO TESTOSTERONE BY THE MOUSE OVARY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ADRENAL X ZONE DEGENERATION
Authors: VINSON G. P. , JONES I. CHESTER
Published: December 2008

Using incubation techniques, with progesterone as precursor, the capacity of the mouse ovary to form steroids was examined. Ovaries were taken from three groups of mice: (1) immature mice, (2) mature virgin females, (3) primigravid animals. The formation of the following steroids was suggested by the analytical methods used: 16-oxooestrone, 17-epioestriol, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 20α-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone. Yields were very small from the ovaries of immature mice. The yields of oestrogens were greatest from ovaries of mature virgin females and of testosterone from those of pregnant mice. The factors contributing to the disappearance of the X zone of the adrenal gland during first pregnancy are discussed. It is concluded that one major factor is the secretion of testosterone by the ovary of the gravid mouse.
A RAPID METHOD FOR MEASURING 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS IN URINE
Authors: METCALF MARY G.
Published: December 2008

A simplified method for the estimation of the urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids which contain a keto or a hydroxyl group in the 20 position, is described. The method is rapid, is suitable for the analysis of large numbers of samples, and can be used reliably in the presence of glucose. Normal values are given.
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF PERMANENT HYPOTHALAMIC LESIONS ON REPRODUCTION AND LACTATION IN RATS
Authors: AVERILL R. L. W. , PURVES H. D.
Published: December 2008

The recovery, growth, reproductive and lactational performances of rats in which thermal hypothalamic lesions had been made in one of seven different placements are described. Small medial lesions failed to alter any of the observed functions while small lateral lesions were followed by a high postoperative death rate, impaired growth, lowered mature live weight, elevated incidence of prolonged gestation and of stillbirths after normal gestations, and uniform failure of operated animals to lactate after parturition.

Two large anterior lesions are described following both of which lactation failure was again present, but other functional impairments were not always similar to those described for rats with the small lateral lesions.

These results are described in relation to earlier findings and to the possibility of differential location of mechanisms within the hypothalamus responsible for control over the endocrine factors implicated in the functional disturbances.
THE EFFECT OF GONADOTROPHIC HORMONES ON YOUNG RAT OVARIES GROWN IN ORGAN CULTURE
Authors: PAVIĆ DESANKA
Published: December 2008

The influence of the anterior pituitary gland on young rat ovaries in culture was studied by explanting the two organs together. As controls ovaries were grown together with fragments of lung and kidney. The effect of the anterior pituitary was compared with that of the addition, in various concentrations, of pure FSH and of 'Gestyl' to the culture medium of organ cultures of ovaries.

In control explants the number and size of the larger actively growing oocytes increased. The preservation of the germinal epithelium depended on the presence of the ovarian capsule and on the size of the periovarian space.

The anterior pituitary stimulated the proliferation of follicular and stromal cells and induced the formation of more large follicles. This effect increased with pituitaries taken from older animals and when less medium was used for the cultures.

In all concentrations used FSH caused the disappearance of the oocytes from growing and from primordial follicles.

In the higher concentration used 'Gestyl' only induced hypertrophy in cells of the germinal epithelium in a few explants and was otherwise ineffective.
THE INFLUENCE OF CORTISOL ON FOOD INTAKE AND GLUCOSE METABOLISM IN SHEEP
Authors: BASSETT J. M.
Published: December 2008

Some metabolic effects of cortisol were investigated in non-pregnant ewes fed either ad lib. or on a restricted ration.

Cortisol (25 mg./day) administered for a period of 21 days stimulated the voluntary food intake of fat ewes offered food ad lib. Higher levels of cortisol (50 and 75 mg./day) administered for similar periods subsequently had little additional effect on voluntary food intake, but an even greater cortisol dose (150 mg./day) resulted in a marked decline in voluntary food intake. Ewes fed a constant restricted ration did not refuse food at any time during cortisol administration.

Urinary nitrogen excretion was increased during cortisol administration but sequential increases in the cortisol dose failed to increase urinary nitrogen excretion proportionately above the level attained during administration of 25 mg. cortisol/day.

The blood glucose level was elevated progressively as the level of cortisol administered was increased. Similarly, tolerance for a glucose load was impaired progressively.

Only very small changes in blood ketones and plasma free fatty acid levels were observed during cortisol administration.

The changes in blood glucose during cortisol administration cannot be accounted for by changes in gluconeogenesis, and it is suggested that they reflect a progressive impairment of glucose utilization relative to the blood glucose level, though not a reduction in total glucose utilization.
STUDIES ON ARTIFICIAL CRYPTORCHIDISM: MORPHOLOGICAL AND QUANTITATIVE CHANGES IN THE SERTOLI CELLS OF THE RAT TESTIS
Authors: CLEGG E. J.
Published: December 2008

1. The response of the Sertoli cell to cryptorchidism has been studied in bilaterally cryptorchid rats.

2. The Sertoli cell nuclei increase significantly in number between the 10th and 21st postoperative day. This increase is accompanied by a significant decrease in nuclear size; it is considered that these changes may be the result of amitotic division.

3. The Sertoli cells appear to be phagocytic and are able to ingest directly introduced particulate matter (Indian ink), and possibly degenerated spermatogonia and spermatocytes.

4. The part played by this property of the Sertoli cells in the pathogenesis of the testicular changes in cryptorchidism is considered.
EFFECTS OF INSULIN, GLUCOSE AND GLYCEROL ON FAT METABOLISM IN ALLOXAN-DIABETIC SHEEP
Authors: REID R. L. , HINKS N. T.
Published: December 2008

The effects of insulin, glucose injection and oral glycerol on blood or plasma levels of glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), acetic acid and ketone bodies have been studied in alloxan-diabetic sheep. Insulin (0·5 i.u./kg.) lowered glucose levels only slightly, but induced a prompt and marked fall in FFA and acetate levels; ketones declined steadily after the first hour. The rate of utilization of injected glucose was considerably slower in diabetic than in non-diabetic sheep. FFA levels did not decline after glucose injection, while acetate levels declined slowly. Ketone levels were not affected significantly. Glycerol (180 ml.) per os reduced acetate and ketone levels, while tending to increase FFA values. Blood glucose also increased considerably. These data are consistent with present knowledge of the metabolic lesions in severe diabetes. However, it is concluded that there is impairment of acetate and, probably, ketone oxidation in severe diabetic ketosis. Finally, the metabolic changes recorded are compared with those which occur after insulin, glucose or glycerol administration to ewes showing clinical signs of ovine pregnancy toxaemia following severe and prolonged undernourishment in late pregnancy.
THE EXCRETION OF NEUTRAL STEROIDS IN THE URINE OF NEWBORN INFANTS
Authors: CATHRO D. M. , BIRCHALL KATHLEEN , MITCHELL F. L. , FORSYTH CONSTANCE C.
Published: December 2008

Following enzyme hydrolysis of the urine of infants aged 1 to 6 days, the neutral steroids have been extracted and their excretion patterns determined using a method based on paper chromatography. Three groups of compounds have been estimated—those reacting with Zimmermann reagent, those reducing blue tetrazolium and those giving sodium fluorescence. The first group includes the 17-oxosteroids and the latter two the corticoids. The steroid excretion patterns in the urine of these infants have been compared with those demonstrated by the same technique in adult female urine and in the urine of mothers in the 24 hr. following delivery.

For all groups of compounds, the excretion patterns in the urine of infants are different from those found in the urine of their mothers or in that of adult women. The outstanding feature in infant urine is the dominance of compounds which behave like steroids, and which either do not occur in adult urine, or are present in insignificant amounts. Less obvious changes in the excretion patterns of 17-oxosteroids and of corticoids in pregnancy urine are also described.

Many of the Zimmermann chromogens which are dominant in the urine in the first days of life have greatly diminished, or have disappeared, by the 6th day. This applies both to full-term and premature infants.

The pattern of excretion of blue tetrazolium-reducing material in the urine of newborn infants is extremely complicated and, apparently, unique. Tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone, which are the major corticoid metabolites in adult urine, are much less prominent in the urine in the first 3 days of life.

A blue tetrazolium-reducing steroid isolated from the urine of infants has been provisionally identified as 3β, 21-dihydroxypregn-5-ene-20-one.

The altered steroid excretion patterns found in the urine of newborn infants are thought to indicate that there are fundamental differences in the metabolism of adrenal and placental steroids which are peculiar to this period and comparable with those established within recent years for oestrogens and progesterone.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF EGGS AND EMBRYOS BETWEEN SIDES IN THE MOUSE
Authors: McLAREN ANNE
Published: December 2008

The variance of the distribution of eggs and embryos between left and right sides was analysed in mice. Little or no departure from the variance of a binomial distribution was detected for eggs, whether ovulation was spontaneous or induced, and whether the mean number of eggs shed was within normal limits or was raised well above the normal level. As pregnancy advanced, the distribution of embryos between sides became slightly more equal than the binomial, as a result of pre- and post-implantational mortality. In pigs, the tendency towards equalization was much stronger owing to migration of embryos between the two uterine horns. The right side tended to be reproductively superior to the left in mice, in respect both of ovulation rate and survival of embryos.

The correlation between left and right sides was negative after spontaneous ovulation, and after induced ovulation with a dose of hormone such that ovulation rate remained within normal limits. If, on the other hand, ovulation rate was raised above the normal level, a positive correlation between sides was found. These correlations arose not from any departures from binomiality in the distribution between sides, but from the level of variation between females in the total number of eggs or embryos. The condition for no correlation between sides is that the variance of total number should be equal to the mean. Positive correlations arise from inflation of this variance, a not unexpected consequence of increasing the mean ovulation rate above its physiological norm. Negative correlations imply that the variation between females is less than the variation between the two ovaries of a single female. In other words, the limit to the number of eggs shed operates on the female as a whole, and not on each ovary independently. The physiological implications of this finding are discussed.
THE EFFECT OF PITUITARY STALK SECTION ON LUTEAL FUNCTION IN THE FERRET
Authors: DONOVAN B. T.
Published: December 2008

The effect of hypophysectomy or of division of the pituitary stalk on the growth and function of the corpora lutea in the ovaries of the pseudopregnant ferret was studied, and compared with the changes seen in the ovaries and uterus of normal animals. Hypophysectomy caused a fall in the weight of the ovaries and uterus and regression of the corpora lutea. Isolation of the pituitary gland from the brain was compatible with full development of the corpora lutea and did not interfere with the growth of the uterus during the first 4 weeks of pseudopregnancy. Later on, the ovarian and uterine weights fell below those of control animals. Blank operations, and stalk section with subsequent regeneration of the portal vessels, did not disturb luteal function. It is concluded that the pituitary gland of the pseudopregnant ferret secretes a luteotrophic hormone and that an additional factor, possibly oestrogen, may be required for optimal luteal activity.
THE EFFECT OF ANTERIOR PITUITARY HORMONES ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED MUSCULAR ATROPHY AND ON TIBIAL EPIPHYSIAL CARTILAGE WIDTH IN NORMAL AND HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: SAPER J. , THOMPSON HELEN E. C. CARGILL , LORAINE J. A.
Published: December 2008

1. Unilateral section of the sciatic nerve causes atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle with consequent reduction in wet weight and in fibre size of the muscle in both hypophysectomized and non-hypophysectomized animals.

2. The administration of growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating, luteinizing and adrenocorticotrophic hormone, either before nerve section, immediately after nerve section or some time after atrophy has been established, had no effect on muscle fibre size.

3. The administration of TSH during the period immediately following nerve section caused a significant reduction in the tibial epiphysial cartilage width of the denervated limb. No difference in cartilage width between denervated and innervated limbs was observed following treatment with any of the other hormones.

4. In both normal and hypophysectomized animals the effect of the hormones on body weight and on the weight of normal and atrophic muscles was in keeping with their known physiological actions.

5. It is concluded that anterior pituitary hormones act on muscles by virtue of their well-known anabolic or catabolic properties, that their effects on total body weight and innervated and denervated muscle are generally similar and that, under the experimental conditions used, none of the hormones studied was capable of preventing the occurrence of atrophy in denervated muscle.
THE DETERMINATION OF STEROIDS IN CYST FLUID FROM HUMAN POLYCYSTIC OVARIES
Authors: GIORGI ELEONORA P.
Published: December 2008

A micro-method has been developed for the determination of Δ4-3-ketosteroids and Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroids, oestradiol-17β, oestrone and oestriol in small volumes of cyst fluid. The method consists of separation of the neutral and phenolic fractions by solvent partition; fractionation of the neutral steroids by partition and paper chromatography and of the three oestrogens by adsorption chromatography after methylation. This technique has been applied to cyst fluid from the ovaries of twenty-one patients, twelve with the Stein—Leventhal syndrome, and nine with other gynaecological disorders. In the patients with the Stein—Leventhal syndrome the steroid concentrations in cyst fluid showed a definite pattern characterized by high concentrations of Δ4-androstenedione, low concentrations of progesterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and small amounts or undetectable oestrogens. In cyst fluid from the ovaries of the nine control patients there were, in general, lower concentrations of Δ4-androstenedione and significant amounts of oestradiol-17β. High concentrations of progesterone and oestrogens were found in the cyst fluid of patients with menorrhagia and endometriosis.
PLASMA CORTICOSTERONE IN RATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES INSIPIDUS
Authors: KENNEDY G. C. , LIPSCOMB H. S. , HAGUE P.
Published: December 2008

Electrolytic lesions were produced in the median eminence in a series of rats; the resultant diabetes insipidus varied in severity over the whole range expected from this type of operation, and no part of the median eminence was spared. Plasma corticosterone was estimated both under resting conditions and after ether anaesthesia, and at different intervals after the induction of polyuria. Although the levels under both conditions were variable, the variability was not correlated with the severity of the polyuria, and the mean values were in the normal range.
THE DECIDUOMA ASSAY: A METHOD FOR MEASURING PROLACTIN
Authors: KOVAČÍC NADA
Published: December 2008

Mice 3 months of age were hypophysectomized on the 1st day of dioestrus and treated with prolactin for 5 consecutive days commencing immediately after hypophysectomy. One uterine horn was traumatized on the 3rd day of the experiment and autopsy was performed on the 6th day. Prolactin maintained the function of the corpus luteum and induced the formation of deciduomata in the injured uterine horn.

The increase in weight of the damaged uterine horn compared with the control horn was used as the end point. Since mechanical injury alone caused an increase of up to 10·4 mg., a positive response was taken as an increase of 11 mg. or more.

The response was treated as quantal and the percentage of positive responses was transferred to probits. Parallel line assays were used with three or two dose levels of the standard and the unknown.

The design permitted a simultaneous study of the effects of a preparation on both the damaged and the undamaged horns of the uterus. Prolactin caused an increase in weight of the damaged horn and gonadotrophin an increase in weight of both horns, but when prolactin was contaminated with gonadotrophin it could still be assayed by the difference in weight between the two.

Three different preparations of ovine prolactin (Armour) were assayed against the 2nd International Prolactin Standard and the results compared favourably with the maker's estimate of potency. Two preparations were also assayed by the pigeon crop gland and by the dioestrus methods and the results were similar. The index of discrimination was about unity.
HORMONAL CONTROL OF THE PUBIC SYMPHYSIS OF THE SKOMER BANK VOLE (CLETHRIONOMYS SKOMERENSIS)
Authors: ZARROW M. X. , WILSON E. D.
Published: December 2008

Marked pubic separation, comparable to that in the guinea-pig, mouse and deermouse, was observed to occur in the Skomer bank vole towards the end of gestation when the pubic gap measured 4–5 mm. Ovariectomized Skomer voles treated with oestradiol showed a pubic separation of 0·8–0·9 mm., while treatment with oestradiol and relaxin caused a separation of 2·5–4·6 mm. Relaxin alone had no effect.
THE PITUITARY STALK AND WATER METABOLISM IN THE MONKEY
Authors: HOLMES R. L.
Published: December 2008

The pituitary stalk was divided in a series of rhesus monkeys. The animals were allowed to survive up to 12 months, and an attempt was made to correlate structural and functional changes in the pituitary with the pattern of water metabolism after operation.

It was found that if the cut ends of the stalk were separated by an impermeable barrier, the animals did not develop the classical signs of diabetes insipidus, despite the fact that the infundibular process atrophied below the lesion. If, however, the cut ends of the stalk were allowed to re-unite, the three classical phases of diabetes insipidus were usually apparent, but the 'permanent' polyuria diminished with time.

Separation of the cut ends of the stalk by a barrier was associated with signs of hypofunction of the pars distalis, and it is suggested that such hypofunction nullifies the effect of the neurohypophysial lesion on the development of polyuria.
THE USE OF GAS-LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY IN THE ASSAY OF SOME CORTICOSTEROIDS IN URINE
Authors: BAILEY E.
Published: December 2008

Conditions are described for the measurement of cortisol, cortisone, prednisolone and prednisone* by gas chromatography. A procedure is outlined for measuring them and some of their unconjugated metabolites in urine. The procedure involves the separation of the urine extract into four paper chromatographic fractions, oxidation of each fraction with sodium bismuthate and gas chromatography of the oxidation products. This procedure is considered to be preferable in several respects to the methods currently used for the same purpose.
OESTROGEN ANTAGONISTS: ASSAY BY INHIBITION OF VAGINAL CORNIFICATION
Authors: LEE AUDREY E. , WILLIAMS P. C.
Published: December 2008

Spayed mice drinking dilute aqueous solutions of oestrone (40 μg./1.) maintain a state of vaginal cornification for several weeks.

A single injection of progesterone inhibits the vaginal response and the degree of inhibition can be measured. The ED 50 of progesterone by this method is about 75 μg.

A satisfactory 3 + 3-point assay of megestrol acetate, using progesterone as a standard, is reported.
A SYSTEM OF ANALYSIS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY OF 17α- AND 17β-PREGNANE-3,20-DIOLS AND THEIR IDENTIFICATION AS METABOLITES OF PROGESTERONE IN MAN, THE MONKEY, RABBIT AND GUINEA-PIG
Authors: CHAMBERLAIN J. , KNIGHTS B. A. , THOMAS G. H.
Published: December 2008

The relative elution properties of the eight 17β-pregnane-3,20-diols differing in configuration at C-3, 5, and 20 have been determined; a system of analysis is described by which any pregnanediol in this group can be characterized unambiguously. The required information can be obtained by chromatography of the compound, its acyl derivative and its oxidation product on the fluoroalkyl silicone polymer QF-1.

The region of elution of the diacetates of the corresponding 17α-pregnanediol group on QF-1 has also been determined, this information was obtained by the synthesis of four of the eight 17α-pregnanediols. The only members of the 17β-pregnanediol diacetate group which are eluted within this region are 5β-pregnane-3α, 20β-diol diacetate and its 3β-epimer.

The utility of this analytical approach is demonstrated by the identification of the pregnanediols from a variety of urinary sources. It is shown that the same three pregnanediols are excreted by man, the rabbit and the monkey as end products of progesterone catabolism. In the guinea-pig, the pregnanediol concentrations are very low, even after injection with progesterone, and only 5β-pregnane-3α, 20α-diol has been identified. The same system of gas chromatography has also been used to confirm some of the biochemical transformations previously reported by Cooke, Rogers & Thomas (1963).
A METHOD FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF 17-OXOSTEROIDS AND 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS IN HUMAN PLASMA
Authors: DESHPANDE N. , BULBROOK R. D.
Published: December 2008

A simple method for the simultaneous estimation of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and 17-oxosteroids in human plasma is described. It involves extraction of free corticosteroids, hydrolysis of glucuronosides with β-glucuronidase and solvolysis of sulphates, chromatography on silica gel and colorimetry using microcells. Recoveries of added steroids, using appropriate conjugated compounds were over 80%.
CYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF TEN OXIDATIVE ENZYMES OF RAT ANTERIOR PITUITARY AND THYROID GLANDS DURING VARIOUS PHASES OF SECRETORY ACTIVITY
Authors: SOBEL H. J.
Published: December 2008

The cytochemical distribution and changes of ten oxidative enzyme systems were studied in rat anterior pituitary and thyroid glands in various phases of secretory activity.

Enzyme activity was always localized to discrete, small cytoplasmic particles thought to be mitochondria. Reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPNH)-Nitro-BT reductase activity in the thyroid gland was also found in nuclear membranes and in cytoplasmic clumps (probably endoplasmic reticulum).

There was an apparent increase in number and size and migration toward the Golgi zone of these granules (mitochondria ?) in gonadotrophic cells of castrated rats. No apparent difference was observed in the thyroid gland following thyroxine treatment and exposure to cold.
PREGNANETRIOL, PREGNANEDIOL AND OESTROGEN EXCRETION DURING ANOVULATORY MENSTRUAL CYCLES AND IN A PREMENOPAUSAL ADRENALECTOMIZED WOMAN
Authors: FOTHERBY K. , BROWN J. B.
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion of pregnanetriol, pregnanediol and oestrogens was measured throughout five anovulatory cycles in three subjects, and throughout an anovulatory cycle and an ovulatory cycle in an adrenalectomized subject. Cyclical changes in pregnanetriol excretion, which paralleled the changes in oestrogen output, were observed during some of the anovulatory cycles and also during the ovulatory cycle in the adrenalectomized subject.

These findings suggest that one factor contributing to the increase in pregnanetriol excretion during the normal ovulatory menstrual cycle is the secretion by the ovary, at times of maximal oestrogen secretion, of a precursor (possibly 17α-hydroxyprogesterone) common to both oestrogens and pregnanetriol. However, that other factors are probably also involved is suggested by the particular pattern of pregnanetriol excretion during the normal ovulatory cycle and by the finding that the increase in pregnanetriol excretion at about the time of ovulation is usually greater than the increase found in the anovulatory cycle.
INHIBITION OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTION OF GONADOTROPHIN, THYROTROPHIN AND CORTICOTROPHIN BY SMALL AMOUNTS OF SERUM AND CEREBRO-SPINAL FLUID
Authors: REISS M. , PEARSE J. J. , DAVIS R. H. , HILLMAN J. C. , SIDEMAN M. B.
Published: December 2008

The action of human chorionic gonadotrophin on mice was inhibited by small amounts of serum (1·8 c.c.) and cerebro-spinal fluid (0·6 ml.) from thirty-one out of forty-two mentally and physically retarded male patients aged 8–16 yr. Serum from some of these patients also inhibited the action of thyrotrophic hormone in mice and of corticotrophin in rats.

Small (1·8 ml.) amounts of serum of three out of fifteen mentally normal subjects of the same age range inhibited the action of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG).

The serum of four healthy adult men had no inhibitory activity. However, the serum of the parents of two morons, whose serum was inhibitory, also inhibited the action of HCG.

The inhibition of gonadotrophic activity by the serum and cerebro-spinal fluid was similar to the action of protein-free pineal extracts.
FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE IMMUNOLOGICAL BEHAVIOUR OF HUMAN PITUITARY AND CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHINS
Authors: ILLEI G. , MORITZ PAMELA M.
Published: December 2008

Antisera were raised to human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG). Normal human serum and human pituitary and chorionic gonadotrophins reacted with both antisera in immunological experiments. After absorption with human serum, the γ-globulin fractions of the antisera were isolated, and only the reaction to the hormone preparations remained. Immunoelectrophoresis revealed a common antigenic factor in the α2-β globulin region. The γ-globulin fraction of HCG antiserum seems to be suitable for the assay of HCG, while that of the HMG antiserum might be employed for the detection of HMG.
THE BIOASSAY OF OXYTOCIN: INCREASED SENSITIVITY OF THE RAT UTERUS IN RESPONSE TO SERIAL INJECTIONS OF STILBOESTROL
Authors: FOLLETT B. K. , BENTLEY P. J.
Published: December 2008

(1) Three daily injections of stilboestrol resulted in a thirteenfold increase in uterine sensitivity to oxytocin compared with that of uteri from rats in normal oestrus. These sensitive uteri have been used extensively for routine bioassay of oxytocin. The index of precision was 0·055 in six 'trial' assays.

(2) The results are discussed in relation to other sensitive assay procedures for oxytocin. The present method is as sensitive and accurate but more simple and economical.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ASSAY OF GONADOTROPHIN BY THE INDUCTION OF OVULATION IN IMMATURE MICE
Authors: WELLS M. , KHOSLA T. , BROWN P. S.
Published: December 2008

An assay method depending on the induction of ovulation in immature mice has been applied to the assay of human urinary gonadotrophin, human chorionic gonadotrophin, pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin, and sheep and rat pituitary gonadotrophins. Valid parallel line assays were obtained in all cases, and the sensitivity and precision of the assay were such as to make it suitable for application to clinical studies.

Experiments with mixtures of gonadotrophins, and the use of a barbiturate to suppress gonadotrophin secretion, indicate that the assay was not specific for LH. It is suggested that the lack of specificity may be due in part to the secretion of a variable amount of gonadotrophin by the pituitaries of the test animals.
MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF WHOLE MAMMARY GLANDS OF MICE IN ORGAN CULTURE
Authors: RIVERA EVELYN M.
Published: December 2008

Whole mammary glands from virgin female BALB/cCrgl mice were cultivated in a synthetic medium alone or with various hormone supplements, with or without addition of 5% rat serum. Except for one experiment lasting 12 days, all cultures were carried out for 5–6 days.

Regression of mammary glands occurred in synthetic medium alone and in synthetic medium supplemented with 5% serum only. When aldosterone, insulin, oestradiol and progesterone were added maintenance only was observed. When this combination was supplemented with prolactin and growth hormone, one or more of the following responses was found: more pronounced ductal dilatation than occurred in the absence of pituitary hormones, lateral bud formation, and irregular organization of duct endings. The addition of 5% serum to the latter medium resulted in alveolar development which was more apparent after 12 days than after 5–6 days. The alveolar cells were secretory but clear evidence for lobular organization was not obtained.
THE UPTAKE OF LOCALLY APPLIED [6:7-3H] OESTRONE BY THE VAGINA OF THE OVARIECTOMIZED MOUSE
Authors: MARTIN L. , BAGGETT B.
Published: December 2008

Locally applied [6:7-3H]oestrone was rapidly taken up by the vagina. The hormone content of the tissue reached a peak 1 min. after application, and thereafter dropped rapidly to a level of 20–30% of the administered dose at 27 min., and more slowly to a level of 6% at 16 hr. The hormone content of the lumen decreased rapidly to near zero at the end of 27 min.

Simultaneous application of dimethylstilboestrol (DMS) had little effect on tissue levels at 1 min., but significantly reduced the fraction retained for longer periods. Progesterone was without effect.

It is suggested that, after its rapid passage into the vagina, a small proportion of the hormone is bound at the site of action, where it is retained for some hours. Any unbound hormone is lost to the general circulation within 30 min. The results are discussed in relation to the mode of action of oestrogens and anti-oestrogens.
INFLUENCE OF CASTRATION AND SEX HORMONE ADMINISTRATION ON THE SENSITIVITY OF RAT ADIPOSE TISSUE TO INSULIN
Authors: MARQUES M. , MUNDT C. , CORRÊA P. RIET
Published: December 2008

Sensitivity of adipose tissue to insulin from normal, castrated, castrated and testosterone-treated or castrated and oestradiol-treated rats of both sexes has been studied, using the manometric method for measuring fatty tissue activity in vitro. Castration in males decreased the volume of CO2 produced by epididymal fat when insulin was added in vitro. Administration of testosterone to castrated males restored normal sensitivity, and oestradiol increased the sensitivity to insulin above normal values. Neither castration nor testosterone administration to spayed females produced statistically significant changes.
FLUORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF ADRENAL CORTICOSTEROIDS: OBSERVATIONS ON INTERFERING FLUOROGENS IN HUMAN PLASMA
Authors: DALY J. R. , SPENCER-PEET J.
Published: December 2008

Simple fluorimetric methods for the determination of corticosteroids are not sufficiently specific to allow the accurate estimation of low concentrations in plasma.

It has been noted previously and is confirmed here, that the measured fluorescence is not proportional to the volume of plasma used, but includes a component which is relatively independent of the plasma volume extracted. This gives rise to a positive intercept on the fluorescence axis when fluorescence intensity is plotted against volume.

The suggestion that the determination of plasma corticosteroids can be made specific by subtracting the value of this intercept from the measured fluorescence intensity of the plasma sample has been examined. In the light of experimental data and certain theoretical considerations presented here, this suggestion is rejected.

It is concluded that the inaccuracy due to interfering fluorogens can be reduced by taking fluorimeter readings within 5 min. of extraction into the fluorescence reagent, but that even then specificity is not complete.
THE UPTAKE OF LOCALLY APPLIED [6:7-3H]OESTRADIOL-17β BY THE VAGINA OF THE OVARIECTOMIZED MOUSE
Authors: MARTIN L.
Published: December 2008

Locally applied [6:7-3H]oestradiol was taken up rapidly by the vagina, at a rate similar to that of oestrone. Levels of radioactivity in the tissue reached their highest value 1–3 min. after application, and thereafter dropped slowly to reach 20% of the injected dose at 12 hr. This is in contrast to the behaviour of oestrone, the tissue levels of which fell rapidly over the first ½ hr. It is suggested that this difference accounts for the relative biological activity of the two hormones in the vagina, and results from varying affinities for receptor sites associated with the initiation of vaginal growth. Evidence is presented that oestrone, oestradiol and oestriol have a common site of action. Dimethylstilboestrol (DMS) converted the retention pattern of oestradiol to one resembling that of oestrone, and it is suggested that this involves blocking of receptor sites. The results are discussed in relation to the mode of action of oestrogens.
STEROID BIOSYNTHESIS IN THE SEMEN OF DOGFISH (SQUALUS ACANTHIAS)
Authors: SIMPSON T. H. , WRIGHT R. S. , RENFREW JOYCE
Published: December 2008

11-Deoxycorticosterone, previously reported in the semen of Squalus acanthias, is shown to be a protein-bound constituent of the seminal plasma. Results of incubation experiments with [14C]labelled steroid substrates show that the semen contains the enzymes necessary for the conversion of cholesterol to 11-deoxycorticosterone via pregnenolone and progesterone.
THE OCCURRENCE OF INSULIN IN THE PANCREAS OF FOETUSES OF SOME RODENTS
Authors: GRILLO T. A. I.
Published: December 2008

A study has been made of the occurrence of insulin in the pancreas of the foetuses of some rodents.

The histological methods used confirm the findings of earlier investigators that definite β-granulation appears in the rat foetus on the 17th–18th day of gestation and in the rabbit just before or after birth. Insulin in the foetal rat was demonstrated by the fluorescent antibody method from the 14th day onwards.

Bioassays of extracts of pancreas of foetuses from normal animals revealed the presence of insulin or an insulin-like substance in the 14-day rat foetus, in the 18- to 19-day rabbit foetus, in the 16-day mouse foetus and in the 11-day hamster foetus.

These findings suggest that insulin was present in the foetuses of these rodents before mature β-granulation could be detected microscopically.