bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ULTRAFILTRATION STUDIES OF STEROID-PROTEIN BINDING
Authors: CHEN P. S. , MILLS I. H. , BARTTER F. C.
Published: December 2008

A method is described for determination of the extent of protein binding of steroids by ultrafiltration after addition of radioactively-labelled steroid tracers of high specific activity. Results obtained with specifically labelled 14C-steroids did not differ significantly from those with steroids randomly labelled with tritium. A number of steroids have been studied with this technique.

The 'S' shaped curve obtained with some corticosteroids by plotting percentage ultrafilterable against steroid added to the plasma confirmed the presence of the corticosteroid-binding protein which has greater affinity for steroid than albumin. This method of plotting the ultrafiltration data afforded a method of assessing the amount of binding protein (or the number of sites). Cortisone, 17-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone, cortisol, and Δ1 cortisol showed this type of curve.

Binding of aldosterone, progesterone and 17-ketosteroids occurred to the same extent in plasma as in 5% albumin. The ultrafilterable fraction of these steroids in plasma was constant over a wide range of total steroid concentration. Binding of testosterone was greater with plasma than with albumin, and did not decrease upon addition of large amounts of testosterone.
ANDROGENS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS IN THE SPERMATIC VEIN BLOOD OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Authors: LINDNER H. R.
Published: December 2008

Testosterone, androstenedione and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone were identified as secretory products of the bull testis by concurrent analyses of the arterial and spermatic vein blood.

The testes of prepuberal calves aged 3–6 months (86–200 kg. body weight) were shown to secrete testosterone at rates varying from 14 to 231 μg.hr./testis. In calves of less than 125 kg. body weight, the testicular venous blood contained androstenedione in amounts exceeding those of testosterone, whereas in calves above 175 kg. in body weight and in mature bulls the androstenedione/testosterone ratio was well below 1:10. Administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG; 2000 i.u./48 hr., intramuscularly, for 7 weeks) did not abolish the high androstenedione/testosterone ratio which characterizes the secretion of the immature bull testis.

Intravenous administration of HCG to mature bulls (2–5 i.u./kg.) was followed within 20 min. by an increased output of testosterone into the spermatic vein blood. This response was attended by a rise in the testosterone content of the testis, and was therefore attributed to an increased rate of hormone synthesis, rather than to a release of preformed hormone stored in the gland.

There was a significant positive correlation between testosterone content of the testis and rate of testosterone release into the spermatic vein blood. A time interval of 18·0 min. ± 6·6 s.d. (mean of 22 determinations) was sufficient for the release into the testicular effluent of an amount of testosterone equal to the entire content of the gland, and for its replacement by newly synthesized hormone.

17α-Hydroxyprogesterone constituted <3% of the αβ-unsaturated 3-oxosteroids released by the testis. Limited evidence was obtained for the occurrence of progesterone in the spermatic vein blood of calves treated with HCG, but was not regarded as conclusive; the concentration of this steroid in spermatic vein blood plasma of untreated bulls would appear to be < 1·5 μg.%. Dehydroepiandrosterone was not detectable in the spermatic vein blood by a method sensitive to a plasma concentration of 5–10 μg.% of this steroid.
ANDROGENS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS IN THE SPERMATIC VEIN BLOOD OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Authors: LINDNER H. R. , ROWSON L. E. A.
Published: December 2008

A group of calves was subjected to unilateral orchidectomy when 1½ months old. At the age of 5 months, the rate of androgen secretion from the remaining testis of the hemicastrates significantly exceeded the combined androgen output of the two testes in intact control animals.
THE INFLUENCE OF HORMONES ASSOCIATED WITH PITUITARY-ADRENAL AND SEXUAL-CYCLE ACTIVITY ON PALMAR SWEATING
Authors: MACKINNON P. C. B. , HARRISON J.
Published: December 2008

1. This work reports an investigation into the effect of hormones associated with pituitary-adrenal activity and the sexual cycle on palmar sweat activity.

2. The index of palmar sweat activity (p.s.i.) used was the number of active glands in 4 mm.2 of the pad of the right middle finger over the central whorl.

3. Groups of men and women aged 20–41 years made plastic prints of active sweat glands on the pad of this finger every half hour between 9.30 a.m. and 6 p.m., the substance under investigation or an inert control material being administered after the second print.

4. The p.s.i. was significantly depressed from 3·30 p.m. onwards following administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and from 1 p.m. following that of progesterone. Gonadotrophin and various steroid hormones had no effect on the index, nor had ACTH when given to two women with Addison's disease who menstruated regularly.

5. It is suggested that ACTH depressed the p.s.i. by virtue of its stimulating effect on the adrenal cortex and the subsequent production of progesterone.
THYROID FUNCTION IN THE FOETUS OF THE MACAQUE MONKEY (MACACA MULATTA)
Authors: PICKERING D. E. , SETTERGREN KAY F. , KONTAXIS N. E.
Published: December 2008

A method is described by which small samples of foetal thyroid tissue of the macaque monkey (Macaca mulatta) are analysed for the various iodine-containing components. The method is based on enzymic hydrolysis of the thyroid tissue homogenate, chromatographic separation of liberated iodinated compounds and their subsequent elution and quantitative estimation.

The chromatographic separation and recovery of 127I- and 131I-containing compounds of thyroid tissue approximated 102 and 104%, respectively.

Recovery of monoiodotyrosine and diiodotyrosine added to hydrolysed tissue homogenate and subjected to chromatographic separation, elution, and estimation ranged from 93 to 102%.
GONADAL MALDEVELOPMENT IN A FLOCK OF RHODE ISLAND RED FOWLS
Authors: WIGHT P. A. L.
Published: December 2008

In nine fowls with intersexual characteristics from a single hatch of commercial Rhode Island Red pullets, the shanks and tibiae were of female size; plumage and macroscopic post-mortem findings suggested the female type, although two birds had a few masculine saddle feathers. All except one, which had an extensive gonadal tumour, had a single left gonad which was atypical. Behaviour was asexual, except for one animal with masculine aggressiveness. The head appendages were masculine in all cases.

In eight of the nine birds the gonads consisted mostly of ovarian-type stroma in which were a few immature and atrophic tubules, some cords of luteal cells, and a few cystic follicles. Oogenesis and spermatogenesis were never seen. Granular medullary cells of the gonadal stroma were quantitatively a most important cellular element, and it is suggested that their secretions may have been of significance in the development of the secondary sexual characters of the birds. Lipids in the gonads were histochemically similar to those of the normal ovary.

Gonadal tumours were present in two cases, one tumour being very large, but they did not modify the intersexual appearance and behaviour of the birds. In general histology they resembled human dysgerminomata, and it is suggested that their main cellular component was derived from the germinal epithelium and was similar in origin to the medullary cells. Compared with the gonads, negligible amounts of lipid were present in the tumours. The other gonads were not neoplastic, although they may have had that potentiality.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OVARIAN HORMONES AND UTERINE INFECTION IN THE RABBIT.
Authors: HEAP R. B. , ROBINSON D. W. , LAMMING G. E.
Published: December 2008

The effect of ovarian hormones on the resistance of rabbits to experimental uterine infection was compared in oestrous and pseudopregnant animals and in ovariectomized rabbits treated with oestradiol (10 μg./day for 3 days) or progesterone (5 mg./day for 5 days) or oestradiol + progesterone. A standard period of 8 hr. following inoculation was used after which bacteria flushed from the uterus were assessed by plate count and leucocyte response by packed cell volume (p.c.v.).

The number of bacteria recovered from the uterine horn of ovariectomized control animals was intermediate between, and significantly different from, pseudopregnant and oestrous animals. The results with ovarian hormone therapy in spayed animals were similar to those of pseudopregnant and oestrous condition.

Flushing the uterus prior to inoculation significantly increased the p.c.v. of the uterus of groups under the influence of progesterone and decreased the number of bacteria in these groups. Thus flushing the uterus prior to infection reduced the significant differences in antibacterial activity due to hormone status.

The mechanism of the effect of ovarian hormones on resistance to uterine infection is discussed, and it is postulated that a substance is present in the uterus of the rabbit under the influence of progesterone which inhibits leucocyte infiltration and therefore decreases the bactericidal effect.
THE EFFECTS OF LIGATION OF THE VASA EFFERENTIA AND VASECTOMY ON TESTICULAR FUNCTION IN THE ADULT RAT
Authors: SMITH GILLIAN
Published: December 2008

The effects of ligation of the vasa efferentia and vasectomy were studied in adult rats, using the periodic acid-fuchsin sulphurous acid staining technique for the identification of stages of the 'seminiferous cycle'.

The operations were performed unilaterally, the testis and the efferent ducts on the contralateral side serving as controls.

The animals were killed at intervals ranging from 3 hr. to 28 days after ligation of the vasa efferentia, and 3 hr. and 90 days after vasectomy.

Ligation of the vasa efferentia was followed by an increase in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and in testicular weight which reached its peak at 36 hr. Thereafter both decreased progressively, the shrinkage being associated with degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium. Thus by 28 days after operation the weight of the treated testis was halved and the seminiferous epithelium was limited to a single row of cells.

The pattern of degeneration of germ cells largely depended on their developmental stage: spermatocytes and spermatids showed signs of more severe damage than spermatogonia or mature spermatozoa. The changes among the spermatocytes and spermatids similarly varied according to their developmental stage.

Vasectomy did not affect the process of spermatogenesis. The operation was followed by a temporary increase in the weight of the epididymis and by the formation of spermatoceles on the cut testicular end of the vas deferens.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE OVARIAN ASCORBIC ACID DEPLETION METHOD AS A TEST FOR LUTEINIZING HORMONE ACTIVITY
Authors: SCHMIDT-ELMENDORFF H. , LORAINE J. A.
Published: December 2008

The assay method for luteinizing hormone (LH) activity depending on ovarian ascorbic acid depletion in rats (O.A.A.D. method) has been assessed in terms of its reliability criteria.

The chief advantages of the method are its high degree of sensitivity and specificity and its good practicability. Its disadvantages are its relatively low degree of precision and the fact that a proportion of assays are invalid due to lack of parallelism.

The LH activity of various gonadotrophin preparations has been investigated using the O.A.A.D. method. The LH content of NIH-FSH and of Pergonal was found to be low. The LH activity of pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin was lower than that of human chorionic gonadotrophin.

When purified urinary extracts are used, the O.A.A.D. method is suitable for clinical application.
THE PITUITARY GLAND OF NORMAL AND STALK-SECTIONED MONKEYS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE PARS INTERMEDIA
Authors: HOLMES R. L.
Published: December 2008

The pars distalis, pars intermedia and infundibular process make up, respectively, 61, 5 and 34% of the volume of the pituitary gland of normal mature female rhesus monkeys. The pars distalis is relatively smaller in immature animals, and larger during pregnancy.

Section of the pituitary stalk is followed by a significant increase in the volume of the pars intermedia; the infundibular process always decreases in volume, while the pars distalis shrinks to a lesser and more variable extent.

Histological changes in the pars intermedia suggest that cellular hypertrophy, infiltration of atypical cells, and cyst formation all contribute to the increase in volume, and that the changes are at any rate partly degenerative in nature.
THE CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COMPLEMENT-FIXATION TEST IN THYROTOXICOSIS
Authors: BUCHANAN W. WATSON , KOUTRAS D. A. , CROOKS J. , ALEXANDER W. D. , BRASS W. , ANDERSON J. R. , GOUDIE R. B. , GRAY K. G.
Published: December 2008

The significance of a positive thyroid complement-fixation (c.f.) test in thyrotoxicosis has been investigated by studying the correlation between various features of the disease in 468 patients. A significant correlation was found between the positivity of the c.f. test and (1) the degree of lymphocytic infiltration in the gland; (2) incidence of postoperative hypothyroidism; (3) size of the goitre; (4) previous treatment with radioiodine, and (5) a family history of thyroid disease. No correlation was found between the results of the test and the incidence of reactions to antithyroid drugs. The results suggest that thyrotoxic patients with positive c.f. tests should be treated initially with antithyroid drugs unless there is a definite indication for surgery.
THE LEVELS OF FSH AND LH IN THE PITUITARY OF THE EWE IN RELATION TO FOLLICULAR GROWTH AND OVULATION
Authors: ROBERTSON H. A. , HUTCHINSON J. S. M.
Published: December 2008

The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) have been determined in the anterior lobe of the pituitary of ewes killed at precise stages of the oestrous cycle, during anoestrus, pregnancy, lactation, and in virgin ewes.

A marked drop in the content of both FSH and LH has been demonstrated during the ovulatory period of the cycle.

The values obtained are discussed in relation to the state of the ovarian follicles.
THE EFFECT OF 6 m UREA ON THE FOLLICLE-STIMULATING AND LUTEINIZING HORMONE ACTIVITIES OF VARIOUS GONADOTROPHIN PREPARATIONS
Authors: SCHMIDT-ELMENDORFF H. , LORAINE J. A. , BELL E. T.
Published: December 2008

The luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and 'total gonadotrophic' activities of various hormones have been studied following incubation with 6 m urea at 40° c for 24 hr. LH activity was estimated by the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion test in rats, FSH activity by the augmentation test in mice, and 'total gonadotrophic' activity by the mouse uterus test.

Following incubation with 6 m urea the LH activities of NIH—LH, NIH—FSH, human chorionic gonadotrophin and Pergonal were almost completely destroyed, while the LH activity of pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) was reduced to a smaller extent. The FSH activity of NIH—FSH was little affected by this form of treatment, but in the case of Pergonal a considerable reduction of FSH activity occurred. The 'total gonadotrophic' activity of NIH—FSH, PMSG and Pergonal was reduced after incubation with 6 m urea, the degree of inactivation being greatest in the case of Pergonal.

After control incubations with water no appreciable loss of biological activity was observed with any hormone other than Pergonal.
IMMUNOLOGICAL ESTIMATION OF SHEEP GROWTH HORMONE
Authors: WALLACE A. L. C.
Published: December 2008

An electrophoretically homogeneous component obtained by starch gel electrophoresis of sheep growth hormone (GH) has been used to prepare antiserum in rabbits. By means of a haemagglutination—inhibition reaction, this antiserum was used to assay GH both in sheep pituitary extracts and in sheep sera. The values for the GH content of a number of pituitary extracts obtained by both immunological and biological assay methods were in good agreement. GH levels in sheep serum were found to range between 38 and 600 μg./100 ml.
SELECTIVE CALCIFICATION OF THE THYMUS INDUCED BY CALCIPHYLAXIS
Authors: SELYE H. , PADMANABHAN N.
Published: December 2008

In the rat, a single subcutaneous injection of glucocorticoids, given during a sharply delimited 'critical period' following sensitization by a single oral dose of dihydrotachysterol, produces a precipitous and massive deposition of calcium salts in the thymus. Under comparable circumstances similar results are obtained by exposure to the stress of forced restraint, presumably through the intermediary of endogenous glucocorticoids. It is assumed that calciphylactic challengers can be liberated from disintegrating thymic tissue and that there may be close relationships between calciphylaxis, metastatic calcification and dystrophic calcification.
METABOLISM OF OESTRADIOL-17β BY AN OVARIECTOMIZED EWE
Authors: WRIGHT A. A.
Published: December 2008

1. A preliminary attempt has been made to assess the importance of the faecal route for the excretion of oestrogens in the sheep using a chemical method of determination.

2. Urinary excretion accounted for no more than 2% of the injected oestradiol-17β whilst the faecal excretion was calculated to be 35–40%.

3. The evidence suggests that the main metabolite in the faeces is oestradiol-17α.

4. These results help to explain the very low values for oestrogen excretion found in this species using bioassay.
THE EFFECT OF SYNTHETIC ANGIOTENSIN II ON SYNTHESIS OF ALDOSTERONE BY THE ADRENALS
Authors: GLÁZ EDIT , SUGÁR KRISZTINA
Published: December 2008

Angiotensin II administered intravenously in doses of 40–50 μg./100g. body weight produced a significant increase in the capacity of the adrenal glands of rats to synthesize aldosterone. An increase in the production of corticosterone was not significant. The changes occurred about 24 hr. after the last injection of angiotensin, when the circulatory effects of the drug had ceased.

Since adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) with aldosteronotrophic activity, administered intravenously, did not result in increased steroid synthesis by the adrenals, it is unlikely that the phenomenon is due to mobilization of endogenous ACTH.

Angiotensin added to adrenal slices in vitro failed to produce the stimulating effect seen in vivo. Further investigations are needed to explain this difference.
THYROID FUNCTION IN RATS SELECTIVELY BRED FOR EMOTIONAL ELIMINATION
Authors: FEUER G. , BROADHURST P. L.
Published: December 2008

1. The effect has been studied of propylthiouracil, thyrotrophic hormone (TSH) and potassium iodide on the behaviour of rats from the Maudsley Reactive and Non-reactive strains bred for emotional defecation.

2. In Reactive, high defecating rats treated with propylthiouracil, the defecation scores increased significantly, and the ambulation score decreased slightly; in the Non-reactive, low defecating rats, no significant change occurred in the defecation score.

3. After the injection of TSH, the behavioural scores did not change significantly, although the defecation scores were decreased and the ambulation scores increased in the majority of cases.

4. No significant changes were found in response to the administration of potassium iodide.

5. Differences in adrenal weight were found between the two strains, the gland being significantly larger in the high defecating strain than in the low defecating one.

6. The ovaries of the high defecating females were significantly smaller than those of the low defecating ones.

7. No marked difference was found in the weight of the pituitary and testes.

8. The weight of the kidneys was significantly lower in the high defecating than in the low defecating strain.

9. Treatment with propylthiouracil and TSH altered the size of the thyroids, the serum protein bound iodine and the weight of the adrenals. Injections of pituitary extracts containing TSH also affected the weight of the kidneys.
STEROID EXCRETION IN IDIOPATHIC HIRSUTISM
Authors: JAMES V. H. T. , PEART W. S. , ILES S. D.
Published: December 2008

The excretion of urinary steroids and their response to corticotrophin has been studied in a group of patients with idiopathic hirsutism. The mean resting levels of 17-oxosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids were higher, and the response to corticotrophin was greater, in the patients as compared to control subjects. Fractionation of 17-oxosteroids in eight patients showed an elevated or abnormally high excretion of steroid metabolites which were presumably being derived from androgen. This appeared to be associated with an adequate production of cortisol, as judged from urinary excretion studies.
INFLUENCE OF CORTISOL, ALDOSTERONE AND 2 METHYL-1,2-DI-3′ PYRIDYLPROPAN-1-ONE ON CEREBRAL WATER CONTENT
Authors: SELLER MARY J. , SPECTOR R. G.
Published: December 2008

1. No alteration in cerebral water content was observed in rats following administration of cortisol, aldosterone or the adrenal inhibitor 2 methyl-1,2-di-3′ pyridylpropan-1-one (SU 4885).

2. Aldosterone was found to decrease the cerebral oedema produced by intravenous injection of water.

3. Cortisol and SU 4885 had no effect on cerebral water content following intravenous administration of water.
HYPOPHYSIOTROPHIC AREA IN THE HYPOTHALAMUS
Authors: HALÁSZ B. , PUPP L. , UHLARIK S.
Published: December 2008

Anterior pituitary tissue was implanted into the hypothalamus, other parts of the brain and beneath the renal capsule of rats. Grafts in the ventral hypothalamus could retain a normal histological appearance despite a lack of any contact with the capillary loop system of the median eminence.

By observing the location of basophils in the grafts a 'hypophysiotrophic' area has been defined. In other sites the histological structure of the grafts was not maintained.

In animals with grafts in the hypophysiotrophic area the target organs might be well preserved, though sometimes the gonads were preserved and other target organs atrophied. Grafts in other sites always led to atrophy of the target organs.

It is concluded that the material from the hypothalamus essential for the maintenance of anterior pituitary structure and function is not simply a synaptic mediator discharged by nerve terminals into the portal circulation, but a true neurosecretory substance produced by and available from small neurones in the hypothalamus.
THE EFFECTS OF INGESTION OF HYPERTONIC SALINE ON THE PITUITARY GLAND IN THE RAT: A MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE PARS INTERMEDIA AND POSTERIOR LOBE
Authors: DUCHEN L. W.
Published: December 2008

The microscopic changes occurring in the pars intermedia and posterior lobe of the pituitary gland were studied in rats given 2% sodium chloride in place of tap water for periods ranging from 1 to 21 days. In the pars intermedia small, strongly PAS-positive cells which are normally few in number became very numerous during the first few days of treatment with saline. After longer periods on saline these changes appeared to regress. Mitotic activity in the pars intermedia and posterior lobe was studied using colchicine. Mitoses were present in the pars intermedia of control rats but not in that of salt-loaded rats. In the posterior lobe mitoses were not present in control rats but were numerous in rats drinking saline, and the greatest numbers were seen after 4 days. The neurosecretory material (NSM) was lost from the posterior lobe within the first 8 days, and it is suggested that there is a relationship between the loss of NSM and mitotic activity in the posterior lobe. The significance of the changes in the pars intermedia is not apparent at present but may be related to the removal of neurohypophysial hormones.
STUDIES ON MATING BEHAVIOUR IN THE ANDROGEN-STERILIZED FEMALE RAT IN RELATION TO THE HYPOTHALAMIC REGULATION OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
Authors: BARRACLOUGH C. A. , GORSKI R. A.
Published: December 2008

In the present investigation the mating behaviour of the androgensterilized rat has been studied. It was observed that rats sterilized by prepubertal administration of 1·25 mg. of testosterone propionate were sexually unreceptive to the male. Progesterone, when given as either spaced or daily injections, did not restore mating behaviour. Furthermore, although mating behaviour could be restored in normal ovariectomized rats by combinations of oestrogen and progesterone, identical treatment of spayed sterile rats was ineffective. Rats pretreated with 10 μg. of testosterone propionate at 5 days of age were found to be sexually receptive to the male even though they exhibited the same anovulatory persistentoestrous syndrome as did rats which received the higher dose. One rat accepted the male for nine consecutive days whilst others exhibited more bizarre patterns of sexual receptivity. It is suggested from these and other studies that a ' mating centre' exists in the hypothalamus of the rat and that it is located in the anterior hypothalamus.
EFFECT OF AN ANABOLIC STEROID (METHANDIENONE) ON THE METABOLISM OF CORTISOL IN THE HUMAN
Authors: JAMES V. H. T. , LANDON J. , WYNN V.
Published: December 2008

Possible mechanisms whereby the anabolic steroid methandienone lowers the urinary excretion of 17-KS and 17-OHCS have been studied in eight patients. Administration of the drug was associated with a delayed catabolism of infused cortisol and of endogenous cortisol, and a fall in cortisol production rate. In several patients, treatment was accompanied by a rise in certain serum enzyme levels and abnormal bromsulpthalein retention, but in others, these liver function tests were unaffected. Methandienone may thus inhibit the hepatic detoxification of cortisol without necessarily inducing changes in conventional liver function tests. The suppression of adrenocortical secretion was considered to be in part secondary to the effect of delayed cortisol catabolism, but evidence is also given suggesting a direct effect of the drug on the hypothalamus or pituitary, inhibiting the production or release of ACTH.
EFFECT OF THE MELANOCYTE STIMULATING HORMONE OF THE PITUITARY ON MELANOCYTES AND MELANIN IN THE SKIN OF GUINEA-PIGS
Authors: SNELL R. S.
Published: December 2008

1. The effect of beta melanocyte stimulating hormone (β-m.s.h.) extracted from the posterior pituitary of the hog, on the melanocytes and melanin in the skin of the ear, anterior abdominal wall, areola and sole of foot has been studied in pure black and pure red intact male and ovariectomized female guinea-pigs. The hormone was injected subcutaneously twice daily 5 days/week for 1 month.

2. Apart from a slight increase in the pigmentation of the skin of the anterior abdominal wall and areola of one male guinea-pig, no obvious changes were noted microscopically.

3. Histological investigation showed that the hormone caused an increase in the length, width and complexity of the dendritic processes and that this was accompanied by an increase in the amount of melanin present within the processes. In the skin of the anterior abdominal wall numbers of melanocytes were significantly raised and the amount of free melanin was increased. In many of the animals the amount of melanin present within the cell bodies of the melanocytes was increased in all the skin regions and in some of these this was associated with an increase in size of the cell body.

4. The hormone produced its greatest effect on the melanocytes in males.
RELAXIN IN THE BLOOD OF PREPARTURIENT EWES
Authors: HALL KATHLEEN , HOARE MARGARET , TURNER C. B.
Published: December 2008

The concentration of relaxin in the circulating blood of ewes has been investigated during the last 2 months of pregnancy.

When assayed on the symphysis pubis of oestrogen-primed mice, the concentration of relaxin present in extracts was less than 0·2 u./ml. serum. The extracts produced no measurable effects on weight or histology of the uterine tract or on distensibility of the cervix of oestrogen-primed mice, whether or not progesterone was also given.

It is concluded that in the sheep the amount of relaxin in the circulating blood during the later stages of gestation is too low to detect, by existing assay procedures, abnormalities in blood concentrations in conditions such as Ring Womb.

Confirmation is provided of an earlier report that the concentration of relaxin in the blood of pregnant mice during the period of rapid interpubic separation is also less than 0·2 u./ml. serum.
EFFECT OF SODIUM RESTRICTION AND EXPERIMENTAL NEPHROSIS ON TISSUE SPACES AND TISSUE SODIUM DISTRIBUTION IN THE RAT
Authors: LEONARD P. J.
Published: December 2008

Aldosterone secretion is increased in rats on a diet low in sodium content or in rats with nephrosis induced by administration of an aminonucleoside. Distributions of water and sodium in heart, liver, adrenals and abdominal muscle were compared in nephrotic rats, sodium-restricted rats and rats maintained on a normal diet. In nephrotic animals total tissue sodium increased significantly in liver, heart and abdominal muscle and was associated with increased intracellular sodium (both absolute amount and concentration) in these tissues as well as in the adrenals; extracellular sodium decreased in heart and adrenals and increased in abdominal muscle. In nephrotic rats increased total tissue water in liver and abdominal muscle was associated with increased extracellular water while increased total water in adrenals was accompanied by increased intracellular water. The results in sodium-restricted rats were similar to those in nephrotic rats except that no changes were found in abdominal muscle and that water content of liver was unchanged.
THE EFFECT OF NORETHISTERONE AND ITS ACETATE ON OVARIAN AND PITUITARY FUNCTION DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Authors: BROWN J. B. , FOTHERBY K. , LORAINE J. A.
Published: December 2008

1. The effect of the progestational compounds, norethisterone and norethisterone acetate, on ovarian and pituitary function during the menstrual cycle have been assessed in five subjects by measuring the urinary excretion of oestrogens, pregnanediol, pregnanetriol and pituitary gonadotrophin (HPG).

2. The effects of the two compounds were similar and depended on dosage and time of administration during the cycle. With adequate dosages given from day 5 to day 25, there was complete suppression of ovarian activity; with lower dosages given over a similar period, follicular activity could persist but ovulation and formation of a corpus luteum were suppressed. When administered during the luteal phase only, there was no apparent effect on the normal function of the corpus luteum. In none of the subjects was urinary HPG excretion depressed during drug administration.

3. The action of these compounds as ovarian or pituitary inhibitors is discussed. It is concluded that they exert their effects, not through their weakly oestrogenic activity but through a property common to synthetic progestational compounds.
A STUDY OF THE ANTITHYROID EFFECT OF TOLBUTAMIDE
Authors: HANNO G. , AWWAD H. K.
Published: December 2008

The mechanism of the antithyroid effect of tolbutamide was investigated by studying its effect on thyroid iodine trapping, the salivary secretion of 131I and the organic binding of thyroid 131I. No inhibitory effect was noted on iodine trapping. After prolonged therapy a defect in the organic binding of 131I was observed in some cases. There was a significant correlation between thyroid function as measured by the 2 hr. neck:thigh ratio and the total drug dose in patients on long-term treatment. Recovery of the gland from this defect after withdrawal of the drug seemed to be slower than the recovery from other antithyroid drugs having the same mode of action.
APPLICATION OF THE ITTRICH EXTRACTION PROCEDURE TO THE FLUORIMETRIC MEASUREMENT OF OESTROGENS IN BLOOD
Authors: ROY EVELINE J.
Published: December 2008

The fluorescence reaction described by Ittrich (1958) for the quantitative estimation of oestrogens has been investigated, and applied to the measurement of oestriol, oestrone and oestradiol in fractions from blood prepared by the procedure of Roy & Brown (1960). The results obtained by this method from blood taken during pregnancy agreed closely with those given by the less sensitive Kober colour reaction. Fluorescing impurities derived from solvents and reagents gave 'base-line' values equivalent to approximately 0·02 μg. of each oestrogen per 100 ml. blood. These background values masked the oestriol and the majority of the oestradiol levels when the procedure was applied to peripheral venous blood obtained during the menstrual cycle. However, positive values for oestrone were encountered reaching 0·14 μg./100 ml. at the peak; these values correlated closely with the urinary oestrone output. The ratio of blood:urinary concentration of oestrone was the same during the menstrual cycle as during pregnancy.
THE HALF-LIFE OF PROGESTERONE IN THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD OF A EWE AT TWO STAGES OF GESTATION
Authors: SHORT R. V. , ROWELL J. G.
Published: December 2008

[4-14C]Progesterone (10 μc, 154 μg.) was injected intravenously into a Suffolk ewe on the 115th day of gestation, and again a few hours before parturition. Within 5 min. of the injection, only about 1% of the radioactive progesterone was present in the circulating blood. During the ensuing 25 min., the fall in concentration was approximately exponential, the estimated half-lives being 7·3 ± 1·2 min. at day 115 and 8·1 ± 0·6 min. just before lambing. The difference between these half-lives is not significant.

Subject to a number of assumptions, these half-lives may be used as a measure of the rate at which progesterone is metabolized in the body. It is concluded that there are no pronounced changes in the rate of progesterone production or metabolism during the course of pregnancy in the ewe.
THE EFFECT OF ADRENOCORTICAL STEROIDS ON THE TISSUE ELECTROLYTE COMPOSITION OF THE FRESH-WATER RAINBOW TROUT (SALMO GAIRDNERI)
Authors: HOLMES W. N. , BUTLER D. G.
Published: December 2008

The effects were studied of cortisol, corticosterone and aldosterone on the concentrations of sodium and potassium in muscle and blood plasma and on water content of muscle in the fresh-water rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

These steroids appeared to cause a loss in plasma sodium throughout the 96 hr. experimental period. An initial rise in muscle sodium was observed during the first 24 hr. after commencement of the treatments. The subsequent decline in muscle sodium was interrupted by a transient rise followed by a continuing decline.

The effect of these hormones on the potassium concentrations in plasma was variable, although there was a significant rise in the potassium concentration in muscle during the period of decline in sodium concentration.

The significance of these results in relation to the possible enhanced adrenocortical activity of the trout during adaptation to a marine environment is discussed.
PARTITION OF ANDROGEN BETWEEN THE LYMPH AND VENOUS BLOOD OF THE TESTIS IN THE RAM
Authors: LINDNER H. R.
Published: December 2008

Testicular lymph collected from rams contained testosterone and androstenedione. The concentration of testosterone in testicular lymph ranged from < 2·5 to 10·6 μg./100 ml. in untreated rams, and from 8·9 to 61·4 μg./100 ml. in rams treated with human chorionic gonadotrophin, and was closely correlated with the hormone level in testicular venous blood. Testosterone concentration in lymph was lower than that in the plasma of spermatic vein blood (mean ratio 0·61), but was two to eight times higher than the concentration in arterial blood plasma.

Blood flow rate through the testis (2–3 l./hr.) was 300 to 400 times higher than the mean rate of lymph collection (7·5 ml./hr./testis). It is concluded that only a very small fraction of the androgen output of the testis is carried to the general circulation in lymph. It appears, however, that androgen release is attended by escape of testosterone into the tissue fluid of the testis, and hence the seminiferous tubules may be exposed to much higher concentrations of the hormone than are androgen target organs remote from the testis.
CHANGES IN LEVELS OF 'ATYPICAL' CIRCULATING INSULIN AFTER INFUSING 'TYPICAL' INSULIN THROUGH THE LIVER
Authors: SAMAAN N. A. , DEMPSTER W. J. , FRASER R. , STILLMAN D.
Published: December 2008

Insulin was infused into the portal vein of four greyhounds previously pancreatectomized; assays on their hepatic venous serum showed thereafter not only a striking rise in total insulin-like activity (ILA), but also a steady rise in 'atypical' ILA (to 200–300% of the pre-infusion level).

For controls in two other pancreatectomized greyhounds, with their livers temporarily excluded from the circulation, insulin was similarly infused into a femoral vein and the brachial vein sampled for assays; no rise in 'atypical' ILA was then seen.

The levels of 'typical' or 'atypical' ILA in the three venous samples were not found to be altered by oxygenation before their plasmas were separated for bioassay.

These experiments suggest that 'atypical' insulin is found in serum because some of the 'typical' insulin secreted by the pancreas is transformed to the 'atypical' form during its passage through the liver.
HORMONAL CONTROL OF BROOD PATCH AND OVIDUCT DEVELOPMENT IN DOMESTICATED CANARIES
Authors: STEEL E. A. , HINDE R. A.
Published: December 2008

Experiments are described whereby the effects of various exogenous reproductive hormones on the brood patch were assessed. It was found that the development of blood vessels is under the control of oestrogen: their rate and degree of development depends on the dose levels employed.

Defeathering is produced by oestrogen plus a secondary hormone. Both progesterone and prolactin are found to act synergistically with oestradiol benzoate and it is not clear which of them is more important under natural conditions. The effects vary with the doses and there is even a suggestion of antagonism when high levels of oestrogen plus prolactin are employed.

Oestrogen causes increase in oviduct weight which can be augmented by both prolactin and progesterone at certain dose levels. With 0·4 mg. oestradiol benzoate thrice weekly neither of these hormones produced any further increase in oviduct weight.

Oestrogen increases nest-building activity. No effect of prolactin or progesterone on nest-building activity or on selection of nest-material was found.
THE METABOLISM OF INJECTED PROGESTERONE IN THE EWE
Authors: BRUSH M. G.
Published: December 2008

Plasma levels of progesterone and 20 α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one have been studied after intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) injections of progesterone in sheep. I.v. injected progesterone was removed from the bloodstream very rapidly and it was necessary to give 50 mg. before it was possible to detect progesterone at times up to 10 min. after the injection. With 100 mg. amounts of progesterone injected i.v. the mean concentration in samples taken up to 10 min. after the injection was 34·7 μg./100 ml. plasma (range 4–110 μg./100 ml. in 9 samples), but after 1 hr. the mean level was 2·2 μg./100 ml. plasma (range 0–10 μg./100 ml. in 10 samples).

The concentrations of 20 α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one were usually, but not always, less than those of progesterone.

When progesterone was given by i.m. injection it was not possible to establish detectable blood levels. The effect of the injection vehicle was also studied for each injection route.

Some new modifications of Short's method (1958) for the determination of plasma progesterone are described and discussed.
INHIBITION OF SPERMIOGENESIS, PROSTATE AND SEMINAL VESICLE DEVELOPMENT IN NORMAL ANIMALS WITH ANTI-GONADOTROPHIC HORMONE SERUM
Authors: HAYASHIDA T.
Published: December 2008

The daily injection of anti-sheep ICSH serum (A/S) for 9 days into immature male rats (30 days initial age) not only resulted in a 79% inhibition of testes weight gain as compared to the testes of controls injected with normal rabbit serum (NRS), but caused these organs to ascend into the inguinal canal. This was accompanied by a complete suppression of spermiogenesis in the A/S-injected animals, whereas the testes of all NRS-injected animals showed the presence of spermatozoa in some of the tubules.

Administration of A/S to young adult male rats resulted in a 45% suppression of testicular weight, an 86% inhibition of prostate weight and a similar degree of involution of the seminal vesicles. Spermatozoa obtained from the vas deferens of the NRS-injected adult animals were highly active, while those taken from the A/S treated animals were completely immotile. Furthermore, the interstitial cells in the testes of the experimental animals of both age groups appeared as atrophic as those in hypophysectomized animals.

Neither the NRS- nor A/S-injected animals showed any signs of toxicity as judged by the lack of any demonstrable effect on body-weight gain, adrenal or thymic weights. The A/S was found to be capable of giving a visible precipitin reaction in agar with as little as 1–2 μg. of the biologically most potent sheep ICSH available (Woods & Simpson, 1961), yet did not give any visible reaction with up to 200 μg. of each of the other anterior pituitary hormones in highly purified form.
STEROIDS IN THE OVARIAN VENOUS BLOOD OF EWES BEFORE AND AFTER GONADOTROPHIC STIMULATION
Authors: SHORT R. V. , McDONALD M. F. , ROWSON L. E. A.
Published: December 2008

Ewes on the 9th and 15th days of the oestrous cycle were injected intravenously with follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin of sheep pituitary origin, human chorionic gonadotrophin, pregnant mares' serum and an endometrial extract. The ovarian vein was cannulated, and progesterone measured chemically in the venous effluent. None of the above substances was capable of producing a pronounced or sustained alteration in the rate of progesterone secretion in the hour following injection. It was concluded that the ovine corpus luteum, if it responds at all to gonadotrophic stimulation, must do so in a manner very different from the testis, the response of which to luteinizing hormone is both immediate and sustained.

The mean secretion rate of progesterone was approx. 150 μg./hr., thus being of the same order of magnitude as a previous indirect estimate of 113 μg./hr. There was no difference in the secretion rate between the 9th and 15th days of the cycle, apart from one animal at the 15th day in which the corpus luteum had ceased to secrete progesterone altogether.

The turnover time of progesterone in the corpus luteum was 10 min., suggesting that the hormone is released from the gland as soon as it is formed.

Pooled samples of ovarian vein plasma collected during the mid- and late luteal stages of the cycle contained, apart from progesterone, pregnenolone, 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, oestrone and oestradiol-17β.

In three samples of ovarian vein plasma collected from ewes in oestrus it was impossible to detect progesterone or 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, even after chorionic gonadotrophin therapy. Oestradiol-17β and oestrone were present in concentrations similar to those found during the luteal phase of the cycle. Since the rate of ovarian vein blood flow is lower at oestrus than during the luteal phase, it follows that the oestrogen secretion rates are also lower at oestrus.

The 24 hr. secretion rate of oestradiol-17β in two oestrous ewes was 3·3–7·4 μg. This is in close agreement with the median effective dose of 7 μg. of oestradiol-17β needed to induce oestrus in the spayed, progesterone-primed ewe.
OBSERVATIONS ON A DITHIOCARBAMOYLHYDRAZINE AS AN INHIBITOR OF PITUITARY GONADOTROPHIC ACTIVITY
Authors: BROWN P. S.
Published: December 2008

A dithiocarbamoylhydrazine (ICI 33828) was injected s.c. into intact rats and mice. It usually caused a reduction in weight of the uterus or of the accessory organs in the male, but less commonly of the gonads. As little as 0·5 mg. daily for 4 days caused significant effects in adult female rats, while half this dose on alternate days retarded maturation in male rats.

ICI 33828 was injected with exogenous gonadotrophin in three systems of assay and in some cases it modified the response to the gonadotrophin. This may not be due to a specific effect at the gonadal level but either to suppression of endogenous gonadotrophins in the test animals or to the effect of ICI 33828 on their general condition.

Pituitary glands from male rats treated with ICI 33828 were assayed for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and found to contain significantly less than glands from control rats. This suggests that ICI 33828 acts by reducing the formation of pituitary gonadotrophin.
SEX HORMONES IN FISH. PART II. THE OESTROGENS OF SCYLIORHINUS CANICULUS
Authors: SIMPSON T. H. , WRIGHT R. S. , HUNT S. V.
Published: December 2008

Whole ovaries of the lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus caniculus) have been shown to contain oestradiol-17β and oestrone, each in a concentration of ca. 19 μg./kg., corresponding to approximately 0·8 μg./fish. The greater part (approximately 80%) of this material is localized within the eggs, the remainder being found in the ovarian tissue. The concentrations of oestradiol and oestrone in the eggs appear to be constant, independent of the size of egg, thus the amounts of these compounds in the egg increase as the egg matures. Free oestradiol-17β and oestrone have been found in blood plasma in respective concentrations of between 3 and 4 μg./l. and 0·5–1 μg./l.; protein-bound oestrone and oestradiol also appeared to be present, though in quantities too small for adequate characterization. No conjugated oestrogens could be detected. There is a significant difference between the ratios of oestradiol to oestrone in the eggs, ovarian tissue and blood plasma.
STUDIES ON THE TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY WITH NORETHYNODREL
Authors: DAVIS B. K.
Published: December 2008

An intraperitoneal injection of 0·3 mg. norethynodrel on day 2 post coitum significantly diminished the rate of nidation among ovariectomized mice supplemented with progesterone and oestradiol. Presence of the ovary partly mitigated this action. The factor of greatest quantitative significance involved in impeding nidation was found to be that responsible for decreasing the recovery of blastocysts from the uterus. Evidence implicating tubal locking was sought, but not obtained. Degenerated blastocysts were recovered from the uterus, but only infrequently. Results of studies involving transplantation of blastocysts to ovariectomized pseudopregnant hosts revealed that the rate of nidation among recovered blastocysts was only slightly affected in one of two experiments by treatment of the donor with norethynodrel. However, a dose of 0·6 mg. norethynodrel given to the host 2 days after induction of pseudopregnancy elicited a response that almost completely inhibited nidation. Norethynodrel was found to counteract the deciduomagenic action of progesterone on the rat uterus.

The steroid caused extensive foetal resorption in intact and ovariectomized mice when given intraperitoneally in a dose of 2 mg./day from days 8–10 p.c.
THE EFFECT OF AMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS ON PREGNANCY
Authors: POULSON EVELYN , ROBSON J. M.
Published: December 2008

The effects of seven amine oxidase inhibitors on pregnancy were investigated in mice. Four of the compounds were derivatives of hydrazine and three were not. All the derivatives of hydrazine and one of the other compounds tested produced toxic effects in early pregnancy but were relatively inactive later.

The effect of one of the compounds investigated (HP 1325) was, to a great extent, reversed by either progesterone or prolactin, suggesting an interference with the hormonal mechanism responsible for the maintenance of pregnancy.

HP 1325 (and 5-hydroxytryptamine) did not interrupt pseudopregnancy, indicating that luteal function is not completely inhibited.

Evidence is adduced that the effects on pregnancy are not related to any particular chemical structure or to the amine-oxidase activity of the compound tested.