bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IODIDE-PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY IN HUMAN THYROID. I. STUDIES ON NON-TOXIC NODULAR GOITRE
Authors: Niepomniszcze H. , Altschuler N. , Korob M. H. , Degrossi O. J.
Published: December 2008

Eighteen nodules from thirteen patients with non-toxic nodular goitre were studied. The nodules were classified, according to the 131I scintiscanner, into »cold« and »warm« types. The histological diagnosis of all the glands was multinodular colloid goitre.

An enzymatic system with iodide-peroxidase activity was prepared from nodular tissue obtained by surgical thyroidectomy. The enzymatic activity was determined by spectrophotometry at 287.5 nm by measuring the formation of triiodide ion.

The group of »cold« nodules showed an average of 333 units of enzymatic activity and the »warm« nodules 940 units.

The significance of the correlation between the capacity for iodide-uptake, the iodide-peroxidase activity and the involution of the metabolic steps in the nodular goitre is discussed.
THYROXINE BINDING PROTEINS OF HUMAN SERUM AT PHYSIOLOGICAL pH
Authors: Gordon Amirav , Coutsoftides Theodore
Published: December 2008

The binding characteristics of human TBG, TBPA and TBA of T4 and T3 were studied by agar gel electrophoresis in a variety of buffers. The highest maximal binding capacities of TBG and TBPA were found in Hank's balanced salt solution at pH 7.4. Phosphate and tris maleate ions at this pH resulted in the reduction of the thyroxine maximal binding capacity of TBG and TBPA. It was also shown that pH, ionic constitution and molarity of the system affect the distribution of tracer T4125I among the specific protein carriers. Thyroxine binding inhibitors were shown to affect TBPA, TBA and TBG at a physiological pH like the effect described at other pH levels. The relative binding potency of TBPA for thyroxine:DNP:salicylate:penicillin was in a ratio of 670:250:10:1, respectively. An attempt to deal with the binding capacity data by the Scatchard technique is described.
DETERMINATION OF URINARY PREGNANEDIOL, PREGNANETRIOL AND PREGNANETRIOLONE IN NORMAL CHILDREN AND ADULTS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: Zamora E. , Plattner D. , Curtius H.-Ch.
Published: December 2008

Pregnanediol, pregnanetriol, and pregnanetriolone excretion in the urine of 50 subjects of different ages from birth to adulthood and of 5 young women during the menstrual cycle was determined by gas chromatography. In most prepubertal children, pregnanediol and pregnanetriol excretion was below 50 μg/24 h. During puberty an increase to a range from 91 to 2770 μg/h for pregnanediol and from 176 to 1900 μg/24 h for pregnanetriol was observed, but pregnanetriolone was never detected. In the second half of the menstrual cycle, the excretion of both pregnanediol and pregnanetriol was increased.
THE SECRETION, INTERCONVERSION AND CATABOLISM OF CORTISOL, CORTISONE AND SOME OF THEIR METABOLITES IN MAN
Authors: Bailey E. , West H. F.
Published: December 2008

Trace doses of one or more of the following radioactive steroids were given to 2 normal and 4 rheumatoid arthritic men: cortisol, cortisone, 20α-dihydrocortisol, 20β-dihydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisol. The specific activities of the given steroids and some of their unconjugated and conjugated metabolites in urine were measured. The secretion rates of cortisol and cortisone for the 2 normal men, deduced from their specific activities in urine, were found to be approximately equal and in sum approximately equal to the secretion rate of cortisol deduced from the specific activities of their conjugated metabolites.

Evidence of the speed of interconversion of cortisol and cortisone was obtained by giving [4-14C] cortisol and [1,2-3H] cortisone simultaneously to the 2 normal subjects and measuring the specific activities of the cortisol and cortisone in urine; also by measuring, in one subject, the proportion of 14C and 3H in plasma cortisol and cortisone at intervals after administration. The specific activities were similar, the plasma cortisone was approximately 50 % derived from cortisol at 30 min and the plasma cortisol 40 % derived from cortisone at 40 min.

For both the normal subjects given 14C-cortisol and 3H-cortisone the specific activities of the urinary unconjugated metabolites were consistently and markedly higher than those of the hydrolysed conjugated metabolites.

The combined secretion rate of 20α- and 20β-dihydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisol, for one normal subject, was estimated to be approximately 4 mg/24 h.

It is suggested that the findings are consistent with the hypotheses that under basal unstressed conditions, 1, cortisol and cortisone are secreted by the adrenal in approximately equal amount; 2, cortisol and cortisone are interconverted at a speed that precludes the liver from being the main site of the interconversion; 3, the major fractions of the unconjugated and conjugated cortisol and cortisone metabolites are formed at different sites.
THE EFFECT OF DIPHENYLHYDANTOIN IN VITRO ON THE FORMATION OF THE POLAR METABOLITES OF TESTOSTERONE BY RAT LIVER
Authors: Sholiton Leon J. , Werk Emile E. , MacGee Joseph
Published: December 2008

Significant inhibition of the conversion of testosterone to polar hydroxylated derivatives can be produced in rat liver slice incubations if large enough amounts of diphenylhydantoin are added. The amount needed to produce this effect is greater in male than in female incubates. The latter under control conditions convert a greater percentage of testosterone to polar metabolites but this difference is eliminated by the addition of diphenylhydantoin at each of the three concentrations utilized in this study.
CATECHOLAMINES, RENIN AND ALDOSTERONE IN POSTURAL HYPOTENSION
Authors: Hedeland H. , Dymling J.-F. , Hökfelt B.
Published: December 2008

The interrelation between catecholamines, renin and aldosterone has been studied in two patients with postural hypotension. Under basal conditions both patients presented subnormal values for urinary catecholamines and plasma renin activity. Urinary aldosterone was subnormal in one of the patients and normal in the other. Attempts to increase catecholamine production using insulin induced hypoglycaemia were ineffective in both patients. Tilting was performed in one of the patients but this did not change the urinary catecholamines whereas the plasma renin levels increased in relation to the degree of tilting in a manner known to occur in healthy subjects. In both patients the infusion of noradrenaline was accompanied by an increase in plasma renin activity.

On a sodium deficient diet both patients conserved sodium at the renal level, although the response seemed delayed in one of them. During equilibration the urinary catecholamines did not increase whereas the plasma renin and urinary aldosterone values rose in both patients; again the response seemed delayed in one patient.

Potassium chloride was administered orally to one of the patients and resulted in an increased urinary output of catecholamines and aldosterone. Our results indicate that baro- and/or osmoreceptor mechanisms can stimulate the production of renin and aldosterone adequately in response to salt restriction and tilting even in the presence of severe sympathetic insufficiency.
EFFECTS OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES AND THEIR COMPONENTS ON GLUCOSE TOLERANCE IN RATS
Authors: Fenichel R. L. , Purse R. M. , Alburn H. E. , Edgren R. A.
Published: December 2008

Treatment of adult female spayed rats with norgestrel, ethynyl oestradiol and their combination (Ovral®) at doses approximating 1 and 25 fold multiples of the human dose protected them against the combined diabetogenic influence of a glucose load and the hyperglycaemic effect of reduced insulin B-chain. Norgestrel and Ovral® appeared to be antidiabetogenic since they reversed the B-chain-induced hyperglycaemia. Various steroidal contraceptives and certain of their components failed to modify B-chain-induced hyperglycaemia in spayed rats sensitized with a high fat, high protein diet.

Normal intact female rats treated with norgestrel, ethynyl oestradiol and their combinations and given glucose tolerance tests produced glucose responses higher than those of controls, but since these groups showed recovery to or toward control blood glucose levels, insulin mobilization was apparently normal. In a second experiment, Ovral® and various contraceptive formulations failed to produce significant alterations in glucose tolerance.

None of these studies suggested a diabetogenic effect of the contraceptive steroids employed; in fact, the first study with reduced insulin B-chain suggested an anti-diabetogenic effect for Ovral®.
BIOSYNTHESE DE LA TRANSCORTINE
Authors: Guidollet Jeanine , Louisot Pierre
Published: December 2008

Corticosteroid-binding activity (transcortin) was investigated at the subcellular level of the rat liver cell: it was located exclusively in the cell sap, and not on the ribosomes or membranes.

Oestrogens were found to increase the biological activity of this glycoprotein (corticosterone binding) in the plasma and in the cell sap. The isotopic activity of the glucidic fragments of glycoprotein (after incorporation of 14C-D-glucosamine), however, remained constant or decreased in the specific subcellular sites at which they were incorporated (membranes and cell sap). This absence of correlation between these two results is not in agreement with an induction of transcortin synthesis by oestrogens, but in favour of an activation of normally masked molecular sites.
A CASE OF XY/XXY MOSAICISM AND BILATERAL ABSENCE OF THE VAS DEFERENS
Authors: Leiba S. , Ber A. , Joshua H. , Lazebnik J. , Ben-Bassat M.
Published: December 2008

A case of Klinefelter's syndrome with a mosaic of XY/XXY is presented. The patient's appearance was that of a normal man, with normal testis size, external genitalia and sexual hair distribution. The urinary levels of total gonadotrophins and 17-ketosteroids were within normal limits, but the spermogram showed aspermia in several analyses. The sex chromatin was negative in the blood smears but positive in the buccal smears. The chromosomal pattern of blood cultured cells was normal (46,XY) but those of the skin and testicular tissue showed a mosaic of XY/XXY type. The patient also presented bilateral agenesis of the vas deferens.

The possible correlation between the patient's chromosomal aberration and congenital agenesis of the vas deferens is discussed.
INFLUENCE OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (HGH) ON PLASMA AND URINE AMINO ACID CONCENTRATIONS IN HYPOPITUITARY DWARFS
Authors: Zachmann M
Published: December 2008

Amino acids in the plasma and urine of 6 hypopituitary dwarfs before and after 3–5 days of human growth hormone (HGH) administration (2 mg/m2 daily) were studied. As reported previously, the concentrations of several amino acids in the plasma of untreated hypopituitary dwarfs are low. After administration of HGH certain amino acids in the plasma increased regularly (threonine, serine, glycine, methionine and others) and the overall amino acid pattern in the plasma became normal. Other amino acids did not show consistent changes. The changes in the plasma concentrations do not seem to be related to renal mechanisms, since urinary amino acids and amino acid clearances varied only little. The HGH induced increase of plasma amino acids affects different amino acids than those involved in the increase of plasma amino acids induced by puberty in the male. This suggests that HGH and testosterone have different effects on the amino acid metabolism.
STUDIES ON ACTH-BINDING ANTIBODIES: CHARACTERIZATION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL SPECIFICITIES
Authors: Aubert M. L. , Felber J.-P.
Published: December 2008

In investigations on the production and the specificity of anti-ACTH antibodies used for radioimmunoassay, differences have been observed between the various antibodies obtained. It was shown by means of competitive inhibition with different ACTH fragments that the binding of the ACTH molecule to its antibody can occur at different sites along the ACTH peptide. By varying the concentrations of the fragments and the conditions of the assays, it was possible to study the properties of each antibody. Thus antibodies which bind the N-terminal portion, or which exclusively bind the biologically active part of the ACTH chain (1–20), are the most suitable for radioimmunoassay. It was found, however, that the production of antiserum was generally more frequent when binding occurred to the C-terminal portion of the ACTH peptide. Should the presence of such fragments in plasma be confirmed, then the use of these antisera could lead to erroneous measurement of biologically inactive ACTH fragments. Thus, this study reveals that a selection of the antibody for specificity might be necessary for its application to the radioimmunoassay of plasma ACTH, and that this selection could be performed with the use of ACTH fragments. An approach to the problem of binding sites between antigen and antibody has been described and the possibility of introducing a radioimmunoassay for plasma ACTH fragments discussed.
ETHANOL AND THE INHIBITION OF OXYTOCIN RELEASE IN LACTATING RATS
Authors: Fuchs Anna-Riitta
Published: December 2008

The effect of ethanol on the release of oxytocin in the rat was studied using suckling as the oxytocin releasing stimulus. Milk removal on 30 min suckling by a litter of 8 after 18 h separation from the mother on postpartum day 13–16 was used as a parameter of oxytocin liberation. Under these conditions 25 mU intravenously injected oxytocin permitted normal milk removal in anaesthetized rats, whereas after injection of 10 mU oxytocin only about half of the normal milk yield was obtained. Ethanol in doses varying from 1.0 to 5.0 g/kg was injected intraperitoneally into the dam as 10 to 20 % solution in saline 30 to 60 min before nursing commenced and the milk yield was compared with saline injected control rats. At the dose level of 1.0 g/kg ethanol had no effect on milk removal but 2.0 g/kg caused a significant reduction to about 60 % of normal, and with higher doses a further reduction of the milk yield occurred. At 3.5 g/kg about 14% of normal milk yield was obtained, and at 5.0 g/kg a complete inhibition of milk ejection was observed. Oxytocin administration permitted normal milk removal in all ethanol treated rats indicating that there was no peripheral effect on the mammary gland. The experiments suggest that ethanol inhibits oxytocin release also in the rat.
DIABETES INSIPIDUS – THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SYNDROME
Authors: Richards M. A. , Sloper J. C.
Published: December 2008

It is suggested that in diabetes insipidus the possibility should be entertained of simultaneous disturbances in several of the systems concerned with water conservation. Criteria for the analysis of the syndrome are redefined.

To illustrate the complexity of the syndrome, five cases are reported in the dog, among the first thus defined to be extensively investigated in any species both in life and at necropsy.

In one, the syndrome was ascribed primarily to hypothalamo-neurohypophysial inadequacy associated with inflammatory atrophy of the secretory system, and in the second primarily to vasopressin resistance associated with renal medullary fibrosis.

In three cases, the response to exogenous and endogenous vasopressin was inconsistent with a primary neurohypophysial or renal abnormality. In all, there was evidence of a hepatic dysfunction, recovery from which in one case was associated with a remission of the diabetic symptoms. Of a number of possible contributory factors, including vasopressin-resistance, primary polydipsia and excessive vasopressin inactivation, the last seemed probably the most important.
COMPARATIVE ACTION OF VARIOUS OESTROGENIC COMPOUNDS ON MOUSE VAGINAL SIALIC ACIDS (II)
Authors: Carlborg Lars
Published: December 2008

Oestrogens administered in lower doses than necessary to induce full cornification of the mouse vagina induce mucification. It was shown previously that the degree of mucification could be estimated by quantitative determination of sialic acids. A suitable parameter for oestrogen assay was the measurement of vaginal sialic acid concentration which exhibited a clear cut dose response curve. Eleven assays of various oestrogens were performed with this method. Their estimated relative potencies were in good agreement with other routine oestrogen assays. A statistically sufficient degree of precision was found. The sensitivity was of the same order, or slightly higher, than the Allen-Doisy test.
THE EFFECT OF NEONATAL TREATMENT WITH 17β-OESTRADIOL OR TESTOSTERONE ON THE BINDING OF 17β-OESTRADIOL BY MOUSE UTERUS AND VAGINA
Authors: Terenius Lars , Meyerson Bengt J. , Palis Asta
Published: December 2008

Female mice were treated neonatally with 17β-oestradiol or testosterone. When adult, almost all treated animals showed persistently cornified vaginal smears. After ovariectomy, some vaginae remained in persistent cornification.

Two weeks after the ovariectomy, the animals were killed and their uteri and vaginae incubated with radioactive 17β-oestradiol. Irrespective of treatment, vaginae in ovary-independent persistent cornification had a significantly impaired binding capacity for 17β-oestradiol. Testosterone treatment was more effective in this respect. On the other hand, the binding of radioactive 17β-oestradiol to the uterus was slightly reduced by 17β-oestradiol, but not by testosterone treatment.
PITUITARY AND OVARIAN FUNCTION IN WOMEN ON CONTINUOUS LOW DOSE PROGESTOGENS; EFFECT OF CHLORMADINONE ACETATE AND NORETHISTERONE
Authors: Diczfalusy E. , Goebelsmann U. , Johannisson E. , Tillinger K.-G. , Wide L.
Published: December 2008

Chlormadinone acetate (6-chloro-17α-hydroxypregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dion-17-acetate; hereafter CAP = chloro-acetoxy-progesterone) was administered continuously in daily oral doses of 0.5 mg to three normally menstruating women and the urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), oestrone (OE1), 17β-oestradiol (OE2), oestriol (OE3) and pregnanediol (5β-pregnane-3α,20α-diol; hereafter P-diol) was studied. Forty-eight hour specimens were analyzed during a pretreatment cycle, the first and fourth CAP cycles and the first posttreatment cycle.

Considerable individual variations were found in all parameters studied. In addition, significant differences were observed in the response of the same subjects to the first and to the fourth course of CAP. A well defined midcycle LH-peak was found in all pretreatment cycles. The administration of CAP abolished the midcycle LH peak in 5 of the 6 treatment courses studied; the »ovulatory« LH peak re-appeared in all subjects during the first posttreatment cycle. The oestrogen and P-diol excretion patterns were often inconsistent with the LH pattern; on several occasions a distinct »ovulatory« oestrogen or P-diol pattern was found in the absence of any midcycle LH peak. Such a P-diol pattern was accompanied by an elevated basal body temperature.

A similar study was conducted in two normally menstruating women, before and during the continuous administration of a low dose (0.1 mg/d) of oestrogen-free norethisterone (17α-ethynyl-17β-hydroxy-19-norandrost-4-en-3-one; hereafter NET), followed by a course of a high dose (2.5 mg/d) of NET. The inhibitory effect of NET on LH excretion was less marked than that of CAP. The oestrogen excretion remained rather high. In only one of the two subjects did the administration of 0.1 mg of NET abolish the »ovulatory« P-diol pattern. Elevated P-diol values were not found during the administration of 2.5 mg of NET. The correlation between »ovulatory« LH- and P-diol patterns was rather poor.

The data indicate that the continuous administration of low doses of CAP interferes only slightly with oestrogen excretion, but has a marked effect on the midcycle LH-peak.

It is concluded that the assertion of ovulation inhibition on the basis of urinary LH- and steroid excretion studies may be associated with major uncertainties. Also, it seems that for a better understanding of the mechanism of contraceptive action of low level progestogens more information is required on the minimal amounts of urinary LH and P-diol, which are still compatible with a normal ovulation and corpus luteum function.
SIALIC ACID CONTENT AND SPERM PENETRATION OF CERVICAL MUCUS IN RELATION TO TOTAL URINARY OESTROGEN EXCRETION AND PLASMA PROGESTERONE LEVELS IN OVULATORY WOMEN
Authors: Carlborg Lars , Johansson Elof D. B. , Gemzell Carl
Published: December 2008

Daily measurements of sialic acid content and sperm penetration into the cervical mucus were related to the total urinary oestrogen excretion and plasma progesterone levels during one ovulatory cycle in six regularly menstruating women. In four women of known fertility and in one normally menstruating woman the peak in sperm penetration and the dip in sialic acid content occurred almost simultaneously with the ovulatory oestrogen peak in urine and preceded the probable day of ovulation by one day. In one woman who was barren for several years the steroid patterns were normal but the peak in sperm penetration and the dip in sialic acid content occurred one day after ovulation. The possible significance of this observation and other data are discussed.
DETERMINATION OF SPERM MIGRATION RATE IN SMALL SAMPLES OF CERVICAL MUCUS
Authors: Carlborg Lars
Published: December 2008

A capillary method for the assessment of the migration rate of normal sperm in small samples of human cervical mucus (CXM) has been evaluated. The following results have been obtained:

Sperm migrated at a constant rate in the CXM. Measurement of sperm migration after 5 minutes correlated well with measurements made after longer intervals.

The coefficient of variation varied between 3.3 and 26.8 %, higher values being obtained in samples with a low sperm penetration.

Different sperm samples migrated in the same sample of CXM at a similar rate.

Dilution of a sperm sample of good motility to 1 million/ml did not affect the readings.

Tests performed at room temperature gave the same results as those performed at 37°C.

Capillary size was not of crucial importance.

Freezing of a sample to −23°C was possible for one week. Longer periods of storage interfered with sperm penetration.

The migration rate of the most advanced sperm did not differ from that of less advanced sperm.
SUSTAINED RELEASE HORMONAL PREPARATIONS
Authors: Benagiano G. , Ermini M. , Chang C. C. , Sundaram K. , Kind Fred A.
Published: December 2008

Determination of radioactivity in urine and faeces was used to monitor absorption of labelled 6-methyl-17α-acetoxypregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione from polydimethylsiloxane implants. Based on previously determined in vitro diffusion rates, mean absorption was 60% in hamsters, 80% in rabbits, and 85% in rats during the first month after implantation. Thereafter, excretion of radioactive material has slowly decreased. After six months, the rate declined to 40% of the original value.
METABOLISM OF 17β-OESTRADIOL-17α-3H BY THE PREVIABLE HUMAN FOETUS AT MIDTERM
Authors: Benagiano G. , Mancuso S. , de la Torre B. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

One female and one male foetus were perfused at midpregnancy with 17β-oestradiol-16-14C,17α-3H and metabolites were isolated in a radiochemically homogeneous form from the perfusates and various foetal tissues. The 3H/14C ratio of the perfused material was 60.2. Unconjugated and conjugated 17β-oestradiol and oestrone were isolated from all tissues studied. The 3H/14C ratio of the oestradiol isolated from all tissues, except the liver, agreed with the perfused one. The oestrone isolated from different sources did not contain any 3H-label.

Unconjugated oestriol and conjugated oestriol, 16-epi-oestriol, 16α-hydroxy-oestrone, 16-oxo-oestradiol and 15α-hydroxy-oestradiol were isolated from the extracts of the livers. No 3H-label was present in 16α-hydroxy-oestrone, and only traces, if any, in 16-oxo-oestradiol. On the other hand, the isotopic ratios of 16-epi-oestriol, oestriol and 15α-hydroxy-oestradiol were between 1.5 and 5.0.

It is concluded that a small but significant part of the oestriol, 16-epi-oestriol and 15α-hydroxy-oestradiol synthesized by the foetal liver is formed via a direct hydroxylation of oestradiol.
THE EFFECT OF ORALLY ADMINISTERED CYPROTERONE ON THE SEBUM PRODUCTION IN HUMAN SUBJECTS
Authors: Tamm J. , Voigt K. D. , Schönrock M. , Ludwig E.
Published: December 2008

Using the Strauss and Pochi technique it has been confirmed that in human subjects the sebum production is dependent to a great extent on the concentration of androgens available to the tissues. Treatment of normal males with the antiandrogen Cyproterone produced only a transient decrease of sebum production at about the 10th day; Cyproterone induced an increase in testosterone production. As a result of this, Cyproterone was also apparently without effect in hirsute females. In a castrate male, Cyproterone completely inhibited the effect of intramuscularly injected testosterone on the sebaceous glands.
GESCHLECHTSSPEZIFIKA DER BIOSYNTHESE VON STEROIDGLUCURONIDEN IN DER MIT TESTOSTERON PERFUNDIERTEN RATTENLEBER
Authors: Schriefers Herbert , Ghraf Rüdiger , Brodesser Mathilde
Published: December 2008

In order to reveal contingent sex specificities regarding the biosynthesis of steroid glucuronides perfusion experiments with rat liver and [4-14C] testosterone** as substrate were carried out. 75% (male rats) respectively 89% (female rats) of the chromatographically isolated aglucones could be identified.

In the course of one single passage of the substrate the female liver retains significantly more (factor 1.4) 14C-activity than the male. Since this phenomenon is not due to a sex different capacity of the liver for the synthesis of steroid glucuronides, it must be regarded as a sex characteristic sui generis.

The aglucone pattern exhibits the following sex differences: The quantitatively predominant aglucones are testosterone (47%) and hydroxylated Δ4-3-ketosteroids in male rats and ring A hydrogenated products of the type C19O2 (80.7%) in females. Within the group of ring A hydrogenated C19O2-aglucones the biologically inactive 5β-compounds (5β-androsterone, 17β-hydroxy-5β-androstan-3-one, 5β-androstane-3α, 17β-diol) prevail in the male sex, and the biologically active 5α-compounds (5α-androsterone, 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one, 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol) in the female sex.

With either sex the percentage share of 5α- and 5β-androsterone and 5α- and 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol in the glucuronide fraction is extremely higher than in the fraction of free steroids though the affinity of the UDP-glucuronyl transferase of the rat liver is considerably lower for these four metabolites than for the 4,5-dihydro-testosterone derivatives which, however, for their part are nearly equally distributed between the glucuronide and the free steroid fraction. Therefore, it can be postulated that the glucuronides of the above mentioned androsterones and androstanediols derive mainly from the hydrogenation of testosterone glucuronide and only for the minor part from direct conjugation of the hydrogenation products with glucuronic acid.
BIOASSAY OF ANTIGONADOTROPHIC SERA
Authors: Petrusz P. , Robyn C. , Diczfalusy E. , Finney D. J.
Published: December 2008

Experimental evidence is presented indicating that the principle of additivity between gonadotrophic and antigonadotrophic activities which forms the basis of the previously proposed bioassay method for antigonadotrophic sera (Robyn et al. 1968) is valid for a wide range of hormone:antiserum ratios. From knowledge of the antigonadotrophic potency of an antiserum, it is possible to select an amount of antiserum which will completely neutralize a given gonadotrophic activity.
THE CONCENTRATION AND SYNTHESIS OF GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS IN THE SKIN AND TRACHEAL CARTILAGE OF NORMAL AND ORCHIDECTOMIZED RATS INJECTED WITH TESTOSTERONE
Authors: Kofoed J. A. , Bozzini C. E. , Tocci A. A.
Published: December 2008

Normal and orchidectomized rats were injected on alternate days with 10 mg of testosterone for 20 days in order to study the effect of the hormone on both the distribution and the rate of synthesis of glycosaminoglycans in the skin and tracheal cartilage. Testosterone exerts a very specific effect on the acidic glycosaminoglycans by increasing the hyaluronic acid concentration more than twice. The sulphated fractions do not appear to be affected. The above increase in probably due to an augmentation of synthesis of hyaluronate, as evidenced by an increased uptake of 14C acetate by this fraction.
AN AUTORADIOGRAPHIC STUDY ON THE LOCALIZATION OF ANDROGEN IN THE PROSTATE GLAND AND THE SEMINAL VESICLES OF THE MALE RAT
Authors: Tveter Kjell J.
Published: December 2008

The distribution of radioactive material in the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles has been studied by autoradiography after intramuscular administration of [1,2-3H] testosterone in vivo to adult castrated male rats. Positive autoradiographs were obtained from 7½ min to 8 h after the administration. As early as after 15 min, there appeared to be a selective localization of radioactivity in the epithelial cells, with much of the labelling associated with the nuclei; the stromal labelling was markedly less. This picture was even more significant ½, 1 and 2 h after the injection, when the autoradiographs demonstrated a preferential labelling of the nuclei of the epithelial cells. A distinct labelling of the epithelial cells was also found 8 h after the injection. The same qualitative pattern of distribution of radioactivity was seen in the four prostatic lobes and the seminal vesicles. No significant labelling of the secretions in the glandular lumina was observed.
EFFECTS OF CONTINUOUS DAILY ADMINISTRATION OF 0.5 MG OF NORETHINDRONE ON THE PLASMA LEVELS OF PROGESTERONE AND ON THE URINARY EXCRETION OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE, PREGNANEDIOL AND TOTAL OESTROGENS
Authors: Larsson-Cohn U. , Johansson E. D. B. , Wide L. , Gemzell C.
Published: December 2008

Daily determinations of the plasma level of progesterone and the urinary excretion of LH, total oestrogens and pregnanediol were performed in 4 subjects during one control cycle, immediately followed for 2 or 3 months of daily treatment with 0.5 mg of norethindrone continuously.

The control cycles were ovulatory according to all the parameters investigated. During treatment the mid-cycle LH peak disappeared in all cases while the basal LH excretion showed considerable day to day variations. The excretion of total oestrogens was increased in all subjects but did not show the normal biphasic pattern. Periods of increased oestrogen excretion also appeared in the subjects with consistently low progesterone and pregnanediol levels during the treatment.

In two cases, all signs of luteal activity immediately disappeared after the commencement of treatment. The other cases had one and three periods of increased progesterone and pregnanediol levels respectively. However, these periods were shorter than those of the control cycles.

One of the subjects had regular menstrual bleeding while the other three had more or less irregular vaginal flows, often appearing during elevated but declining oestrogen excretion.
AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE ASSAY OF PROGESTERONE BY COMPETITIVE PROTEIN BINDING
Authors: Reeves B. D. , de Souza M. L. A. , Thompson I. E. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

An improved method for the assay of plasma progesterone by competitive protein binding is described. The improvement is based upon rigorous control of the variables, the compensation for and standardisation of interfering factors inherent in the method and the use of a human corticosteroid binding globulin, that meets the requirements for sensitivity at levels of 1.0 ng of progesterone and below.

The assessment of the reliability of the individual steps in the method as well as that of the complete method is presented. The sensitivity of the method is around 0.2 ng progesterone per ml plasma. Accuracy was measured by adding progesterone in amounts ranging from 0.0 to 1.0 ng to 1.0 ml plasma. There was a linear relationship between the progesterone added and recovered throughout the entire range of values, with a coefficient of correlation (r) of 0.94. Of 52 related steroids tested, none was found which would remain associated with progesterone following extraction and purification and which would also compete with progesterone for binding sites.
THE DURATION OF THE FALL OF BLOOD PRESSURE FOLLOWING THE INDUCTION OF DECIDUOMATA AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF PROGESTERONE IN STEROID HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Moore H. C. , Cserhat I. , Wilson K.
Published: December 2008

Experimental deciduomata produce a protracted fall of blood pressure in steroid hypertensive rats. The fall begins at between 9 and 13 days of pseudopregnancy, lasts for between 8 and 14 days and is then followed by a restoration to higher levels between 17 and 24 days. The metrial gland of the deciduomata is thought to be responsible for the fall.

Parenteral progesterone has two main effects. It enhances the degree of the fall of blood pressure and also prolongs the survival of deciduomata to beyond 22 days of pseudopregnancy. Progesterone does not alter the time of onset nor the duration of the hypotensive episode and the return of the blood pressure to higher levels takes place even though the metrial gland of the deciduomata is still viable and progesterone still being administered.

It is considered that the duration of the hypotensive episode is determined either by a changed function of the metrial gland cells with duration or to an entirely different but unknown mechanism.

The present findings suggest that the hypotensive effect of pregnancy in hypertensive rats is a related phenomenon and is due in part to the function of metrial gland cells of the pregnancy decidua under the influence of progesterone.
THE IN VITRO UPTAKE OF TRITIATED OESTRADIOL BY THE OVIDUCT OF IMMATURE AND LAYING CHICKENS
Authors: Cecil Helene C. , Bitman J. , Shaffner C. S.
Published: December 2008

The oviduct of the immature chick had a special affinity for oestradiol during in vitro incubation with tritiated oestradiol. All anatomical portions of the oviduct concentrated 3-6 times more radioactivity than other body tissues. When the immature birds were pretreated with nonlabelled oestradiol, the ability of the ovary, liver and muscle to concentrate 3H-oestradiol was unaffected. In contrast, accumulation of radioactivity by oviducts from pretreated birds was reduced to a level comparable to other body tissues.

The oviducts from nonlaying hens were able to accumulate more oestradiol per unit of weight than the oviducts from laying hens. Presumably the laying hen had a source of endogenous oestrogen which reduced the ability of the oviduct to accumulate 3H-oestradiol from the incubation mixture.
STUDIES ON ALDOSTERONE BIOSYNTHESIS IN VITRO
Authors: Sharma Dinesh C.
Published: December 2008

Biosynthesis of 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone from radioactive progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone and corticosterone by adrenals of bullfrogs and that of normals as well as gonadectomized Rhesus monkeys was studied in vitro. The adrenals of monkeys were much less active than those of the frogs.

Corticosterone and progesterone were more efficiently converted to 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone by the frog adrenals while the formation of these products from 11-dehydrocorticosterone was very little; the adrenals from the monkeys utilized the latter compound comparaticely better than the other substrates.

The data support that the main pathway for aldosterone biosynthesis is progesterone:→ 11-deoxycorticosterone → corticosterone→ 18-OH-corticosterone → aldosterone.

The pathway involving 11-dehydroaldosterone, proposed by some workers, is comparatively less efficient for aldosterone biosynthesis but could be involved as an alternate route and a mechanism for limiting the biosynthesis of aldosterone in mammals.
QUANTATIVE DETERMINATION OF THE SULPHATION FACTOR ACTIVITY IN HUMAN SERUM
Authors: Hall Kerstin
Published: December 2008

An improved technique utilizing embryonic chick cartilage is described for the determination of the sulphation factor activity. The precision and reproducibility were of the same magnitude as with previous techniques using rat costal cartilage, but the present method was less laborious.
ELECTROPHORETIC SEPARATION OF HORMONES ASSOCIATED WITH SECRETORY GRANULES FROM RAT ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLANDS
Authors: Hodges D. R. , McShan W. H.
Published: December 2008

Electrophoretic analyses of rat, mouse, human and cow anterior pituitary homogenates with subsequent bioassays for hormonal activity have been reported. Comparison of the behaviour of the hormonal activities from rat anterior pituitary secretory granules and that reported for pituitary homogenates was made following disc electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. Bioassays of gel segments for the six anterior pituitary hormones resulted in the localization of the activities of five of the six hormones. ACTH activity was not detected. Growth hormone and prolactin were associated with the major cathodal and anodal discs respectively. Luteinizing hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone activities had similar mobilities and were located in a zone just above growth hormone. The activity was not restricted to a discrete, stainable disc in either case. Follicle stimulating hormone activity was detected in a narrow segment containing only one disc a few millimeters below growth hormone. Comparison of the mobilities of the hormones from homogenates and secretory granule extracts suggests that they have essentially similar electrophoretic characteristics at basis pH.
ENHANCEMENT OF INSULIN RELEASE TO ACUTE GLYCAEMIC STIMULATION WITH DEPRESSION OF BASAL INSULIN PRODUCTION RATES IN INSULINOMA FOLLOWING DIAZOXIDE ADMINISTRATION
Authors: Bailey Richard E. , Castro Albert , Kramer Rosanne M. , Macfarlane Dorothy
Published: December 2008

Single and double load oral glucose tolerance tests were performed repetitively both before and during administration of diazoxide to a 15-year old girl who had an insulin secreting islet cell tumour. Plasma insulin concentrations increased above baseline values by a greater magnitude in response to a single acute oral glycaemic stimulus following diazoxide treatment, compared to the increases resulting from comparable prediazoxide glucose tolerance tests, and plasma insulin either attained higher values or sustained elevations for a longer duration during the early part (first hour) of the single load tests. This provides evidence that diazoxide does not prevent the normal insulin release response to a glycaemic stimulus, and that enhanced insulin secretion rates may occur with insulinomas under the study conditions employed.

Fasting plasma insulin concentrations were lower during the period of diazoxide administration which indicates that insulin biosynthesis was depressed under fasting steady-state conditions. Considering that the first part of the glucose tolerance curve reflects primarily insulin release, our data is consistent with the view that insulin storage within the insulinoma cells is preserved under the study conditions employed and may even be enhanced by diazoxide. Consequently, depression of insulin biosynthesis is considered to be a resultant effect and not a primary action of diazoxide. These results suggest a possible basis for »distinguishing« types of insulinomas should additional perspective reveal that glycaemic-induced enhancement of insulin secretion rates cannot be made to occur uniformly in diazoxide treated patients having insulinomas.
PITUITARY-ADRENAL ACTIVATION IN RATS WITH MEDIAL BASAL HYPOTHALAMIC ISLANDS
Authors: Feldman Shaul , Conforti Nisim , Chowers Israel , Davidson Julian M.
Published: December 2008

Male rats subjected to deafferentiation of the medial basal hypothalamus by the method of Halasz and Pupp were exposed to a variety of ACTH releasing stimuli during the forenoon. Following this, plasma corticosterone was measured and the results were compared with responses obtained in intact animals. The response to etherization alone was unaffected by deafferentation, although the plasma corticosterone increase due to etherization plus jugular venesection was slightly inhibited. There was, however, a nearly complete inhibition of the response to auditory stimulation (86% of control value) and also a marked inhibition of the response to optic stimulation (45% of control value). The responses to anoxia and immobilization were unaffected by the surgical procedure. The completeness of the hypothalamic »island« was not a factor of importance in these experiments since results were essentially the same in animals in which part of the tissue at the base of the hypothalamus was not cut. It is concluded that (1) ACTH release following auditory, and to a somewhat lesser extent, optic stimulation depends on neural input to the basal medial hypothalamus and (2) the corticotrophic responses to ether, anoxia and immobilization may be mediated by humoral activation of the same region.
HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-ADRENAL FUNCTION IN OBESITY AND THE CORTISOL SECRETION RATE FOLLOWING PROLONGED STARVATION
Authors: Jackson Ivor M. D. , Mowat Joy I.
Published: December 2008

Evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis was undertaken in obesity. Abnormality of diurnal rhythm of plasma cortisol, elevated cortisol secretion rate (CSR) and, to a lesser extent, excessive response to adrenal stimulation, were found in a proportion of cases. Adequate hypoglycaemia invariably produced a significant cortisol rise and 80% of cases responded to L.8 vasopressin at 5 units im. A significant fall in CSR, urinary 17-OHCS and 17-KS occurred with starvation. The significance of these findings in relation to Cushing's syndrome is discussed.
COMPARISON OF EFFECTS OF 6-DEHYDRO-16-METHYLENE-HYDROCORTISONE (STC 407) AND DEXAMETHASONE ON THE SUPPRESSION OF THE HYPOTHALAMO-PITUITARY-ADRENAL SYSTEM
Authors: Berthold K. , Arimura A. , Schally A. V.
Published: December 2008

The suppressive effects of 6-dehydro-16-methylene-hydrocortisone (STC 407) and dexamethasone on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system were evaluated in the rat. Four μg dexamethasone or 120 μg STC 407/100 g b. w. was injected ip daily into normal rats for 16 or 31 days. These doses were of approximately equivalent antiinflammatory potencies. Both steroids decreased equally plasma and adrenal corticosterone concentrations as well as adrenal weights. However, CRF activities of the hypothalamus and ACTH contents of the pituitary glands were significantly reduced by treatment with STC 407, but not with dexamethasone. This finding may endorse the successful treatment with STC 407 of Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal hyperplasia in which the fundamental derangement appears to consist of a disturbed regulatory function of the hypothalamus.
DIE AUSSCHEIDUNG VON 11-DESOXYCORTISOL UND VON TETRAHYDRO-11-DESOXYCORTISOL IN DER NORMALEN SCHWANGERSCHAFT UND BEI INTRAUTERINEM FRUCHTTOD
Authors: Dässler C.-G.
Published: December 2008

Urinary excretion of tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol (THS) was determined after hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase and paperchromatography in 12 nonpregnant women (mean m = 29 μg/24 h; standard deviation s = ± 17) and in 3 women with intrauterine foetal death in late pregnancy (m = 40 μg/24 h). In 16 healthy women during late pregnancy the excretion of THS was higher (P < 0.001; m = 70 μg/24 h; s = ±40). Determination of 11-deoxycortisol (Compound S) resulted in a similar elevation (P < 0.001) of this steroid in urine of women during late pregnancy (m = 40 μg/24 h; s = ±32). 11-Deoxycortisol was not to be found or was present in very small amounts only (< 10 μg/24 h) in urine extracts of nonpregnant women and of women in late pregnancy with intrauterine foetal death.
THE ISO-POLAR METABOLITES PRODUCED BY INCUBATION OF [4-14C]TESTOSTERONE WITH RAT AND BOVINE BRAIN
Authors: Sholiton Leon J. , Hall Ila L. , Werk Emile E.
Published: December 2008

Rat and bovine brain homogenates have been incubated with [4-14C] testosterone under standard conditions. With use of paper chromatography, the extracted metabolites were noted to fall into less polar, iso-polar, and more polar fractions. The components of the iso-polar fraction were separated after acetylation by thin-layer chromatography and the major end-product identified by gas-liquid chromatography and recrystallization to constant specific activity.

Rat brain forms a major iso-polar metabolite, allo-tetrahydrotestosterone, and a small amount of tetrahydrotestosterone. Neither of these could be detected in the bovine brain incubates.
TYPICAL CASES OF ISOLATED GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENCY WITH AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE INHERITANCE
Authors: Kumahara Y. , Okada Y. , Miyai K. , Iwatsubo H.
Published: December 2008

A 25-year-old male dwarf and his sister, a 31-year-old woman were investigated. Their respective heights were 114 and 97 cm with proportional statures. Their bone ages were that found in the adult subject. Thyroid functions and metyrapone test were normal and the total urinary gonadotrophin was determined in both cases. HGH secretion was not stimulated by insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, arginine infusion or exercise. Their parents and six other siblings were normal in height. The two patients were therefore assumed to be suffering from an isolated growth hormone deficiency with autosomal recessive inheritance.
PENIS AND TESTICULAR SIZE IN PATIENTS WITH GROWTH HORMONE INSUFFICIENCY
Authors: Laron Z. , Sarel R.
Published: December 2008

The size of the penis and testicles was estimated during several years in 20 male patients with pituitary insufficiency. The patients were divided into three groups, in accordance with the type of pituitary disorder as follows:

Group I – Pituitary dwarfism due to isolated HGH (human growth hormone) deficiency.

Group II – Pituitary dwarfism with high IR (immunoreactive), presumably biologically inactive HGH.

Group III – Idiopathic pituitary insufficiency inducing various hormone deficiencies.

It was found that in all patients with a longstanding deficiency in HGH activity, the genitalia were subnormal in size like in the prepubertal period. This was especially noticeable among those patients with a hereditary type of isolated HGH deficiency, or the hereditary type of pituitary dwarfism with IR but biologically inactive HGH. A few patients with isolated HGH deficiency showed some pubertal development during which period the penis and testicles became enlarged, but even so the latter remained small for the age of the patient.

It was concluded that HGH plays an active role in the determination of the size of the genitalia and gonads.
MORPHOLOGY OF ENDOCRINE CELLS IN THE ISLET TISSUE OF THE COD GADUS CALLARIAS
Authors: Thomas N. W.
Published: December 2008

The principal islet of the cod consists of a central mass of endocrine tissue, surrounded by a capsule of exocrine tissue. Four cell types are recognisable by differential staining and electron microscopy. Three of these correspond in staining reactions and general morphology to alpha, beta and delta cells of other species. Each cell-type contains characteristic secretory granules. The fourth cell-type does not appear to correspond to any other pancreatic endocrine cell although its granules show features common to both alpha and beta cells. It may represent a phase in the life history of one of these cell types or more probably a separate cell-type.