bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUPEROVULATION TREATMENT OF ADULT MICE: THEIR SUBSEQUENT NATURAL FERTILITY AND RESPONSE TO FURTHER TREATMENT
Authors: EDWARDS R. G. , FOWLER RUTH E.
Published: December 2008

The effects of an injection of pregnant mares' serum (PMS), human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), or of superovulation treatment with both of these gonadotrophins on subsequent reproductive behaviour of adult mice and on their response to a second superovulation treatment given shortly afterwards have been studied.

An injection of PMS had induced ovulation, but not superovulation, in dioestrous mice autopsied 24 hr later. The injection also induced oestrus and superovulation in many mice (c. 30%) 60–62 hr later, a positive correlation being found between mating and ovulation in these mice. The resumption of the natural oestrous cycle after an injection of PMS was delayed in some of the mice. HCG had induced ovulation in mice in metoestrus-II and dioestrus autopsied 24 hr later. Most mice quickly resumed their natural oestrous cycle after the injection of HCG.

If mice were not paired with males after the full superovulation treatment with PMS and HCG, they resumed their natural oestrous cycle within 3–6 days. Ovulation, fertilization and pregnancy during or after this natural oestrus were quite normal. These mice were also capable of further induced oestrus and superovulation when given a second course 1–3 days after the first treatment, though the number of mice that ovulated was lower, and the variability between mice in the number of eggs ovulated was higher, if the second treatment was given 1–2 days after the first.

The corpora lutea formed in mice that mated after a superovulation treatment were fully active. A second treatment induced superovulation in most mice, but failed to induce oestrus in the majority of them, especially when given during mid-pseudopregnancy. Fertilization and embryonic development were quite normal in the few mice that mated.
THE ROLE OF THE ADRENAL GLAND IN THE CONTROL OF AMINO ACID INCORPORATION INTO PROTEIN OF ISOLATED RAT LIVER MICROSOMES
Authors: KORNER A.
Published: December 2008

1. Microsomes, isolated from rat liver a day after adrenalectomy, incorporate more radioactive amino acid into their protein in vitro than microsomes from normal rat liver. This enhanced rate of incorporation progressively declines with time after adrenalectomy until it reaches a plateau level which is below the normal rate of incorporation.

2. Following adrenalectomy microsomes isolated from liver of male rats show a greater rise in incorporating ability than those from liver of female rats, and maintain it longer.

3. Most of the increased incorporation observed in the in vitro system soon after adrenalectomy of the rat, and most of the decreased incorporation observed in rats adrenalectomized for some time, results from alterations in the microsomes which change their ability to incorporate activated amino acids into proteins.

4. Treatment of rats with cortisol acetate results in an increase in the ability of liver microsomes to incorporate amino acid into protein. This heightened incorporating ability is probably a secondary result of the breakdown of extrahepatic tissue protein which is stimulated by cortisol.

5. Somewhat similar responses to acute adrenalectomy and to treatment with cortisol were found in hypophysectomized rats.

6. The protein anabolic response of adrenalectomized rats to treatment with insulin, and of adrenalectomized-hypophysectomized rats to treatment with insulin or growth hormone, is greater than that shown by rats which possess adrenal glands.
BONE METABOLISM IN RATS, STUDIED WITH STABLE STRONTIUM
Authors: HARRISON M. , FRASER RUSSELL
Published: December 2008

1. The retention of a dose of stable strontium given intraperitoneally to rats has been measured after 24 hr.

2. When the total retention is expressed in terms of the amount in the plasma, it provides an estimate of the rate of bone formation.

3. The strontium retention is a function of the age of the rat, but is independent of the sex.
THE PARATHYROID GLANDS AND CALCIUM DEFICIENCY IN THE RAT
Authors: HARRISON M. , FRASER RUSSELL
Published: December 2008

In rats maintained on a diet deficient in calcium but otherwise adequate, there is increased parathyroid activity. Evidence is presented which shows that the osteoporosis of calcium deficiency is the result of this activity. The rapid bone turnover which characterizes this form of osteoporosis is dependent on the presence of the parathyroid glands, and in their absence it is not seen, but instead bone turnover is much slower than normal. Hypoparathyroidism protects the skeleton from the osteoporosis due to calcium deficiency, but at the expense of somatic and skeletal growth.
THE HYPOTHALAMO-NEUROHYPOPHYSIAL SYSTEM IN OLD RATS
Authors: RODECK H. , LEDERIS K. , HELLER H.
Published: December 2008

The distribution of chrome-alum-haematoxyphil material in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system has been studied in young (3–6 months), old (12–24 months) and senile (over 24 months) rats. No difference could be detected between the abundance of 'neurosecretory' material in 'young' and 'old' animals, but there was a decrease in the senile rats. The neural lobes of young and old rats contained similar amounts of antidiuretic hormone. It seems likely from this and other evidence that changes in the water metabolism of old rats are due to regression of renal functions rather than to alterations in the rate of synthesis, storage and release of the neurohypophysial hormones.
PATTERNS OF STEROID EXCRETION IN THREE TYPES OF POST-PUBERTAL HIRSUTISM
Authors: BROOKS R. V. , PRUNTY F. T. G.
Published: December 2008

The steroid excretion of patients with three types of post-pubertal hirsutism has been studied both before and during the administration of corticotrophin. The types of hirsutism distinguished were post-pubertal adrenal virilism (three cases), idiopathic hirsutism (five cases) and the Stein-Leventhal syndrome (seven cases).

1. The patients in the adrenal virilism group were found to have a pattern of steroid excretion of the type seen in congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Thus they excreted relatively small amounts of cortisol metabolites in the urine, but the excretions of pregnanetriol, 17-hydroxypregnanolone, 11-oxopregnanetriol and 11-hydroxyandrosterone were high.

2. The patients with idiopathic hirsutism showed a tendency to excrete relatively more of those 17-oxosteroids derived from C19 precursors compared with those derived from cortisol. The evidence suggests, however, that this disproportion is due not to an impairment of cortisol synthesis but to a potentiation of the production of adrenal androgens.

3. A similar abnormality in the patterns of steroid excretion was also found in some of the patients with the Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Since this abnormality includes the excretion of increased amounts of those 17-oxosteroids thought to be exclusively of adrenal origin, viz. dehydroepiandrosterone and 11-hydroxyandrosterone, this would suggest adrenal involvement in at least some of the cases.
ESTIMATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FREE AND CONJUGATED CORTICOSTEROIDS IN HUMAN PLASMA
Authors: GORE MARION B. R. , BARON D. N.
Published: December 2008

1. An examination has been made of the free and glucuronide-conjugated corticosteroids in the plasma of normal controls and of patients before and after hypophysectomy. Quantitative measure of the free plasma corticosteroid level 72 hr after withholding cortisone from a hypophysectomized patient (cortisone withdrawal test) is a useful index of completeness of hypophysectomy. Qualitative examination failed to detect corticosteroids in these patients.

2. In all plasmas examined (controls and patients in resting state and after adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)) the main component of the free corticosteroid fraction is cortisol. In 50% of the plasma samples cortisone was detected. Even after ACTH only occasional traces of corticosterone were detected by the method used in this study.

3. In the glucuronide-conjugated fraction of plasma from subjects in the resting state three compounds, concluded to be tetrahydrocortisol (THF)†, tetrahydrocortisone, and allo-THF†, were regularly seen. After ACTH other material was detected in this fraction which is considered to be tetrahydrocorticosterone (THB), tetrahydro 11-deoxycortisol (THS) and allo-THB. Administration of oral cortisone to hypophysectomized patients did not increase the amounts of THB, THS or allo-THB in the plasma.
THE DETERMINATION OF ADRENOCORTICAL STEROIDS IN BLOOD
Authors: BRAUNSBERG HANNELORE , JAMES V. H. T.
Published: December 2008

A method has been described for the extraction, chromatographic purification and fluorimetric determination of cortisol and corticosterone from human peripheral blood plasma. Data are presented on specificity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy, and results for normal individuals and persons with adrenal hyperfunction are given and discussed.
THE STABILITY OF HEXOESTROL IN SOIL AND ITS UPTAKE BY PLANTS
Authors: BROOM W. A. , GURD M. R. , HARMER G. L. M. , RANDALL S. S.
Published: December 2008

1. Strips of arable land were treated with hexoestrol at 10 μg and 50 μg/kg, harrowed into the top 4 in. of soil.

2. When known amounts of hexoestrol were added to soil, about 70% was recovered by the method of extraction used.

3. Samples of treated soil were assayed biologically for oestrogenic activity at intervals after treatment; crops of grass, clover and cabbage grown on the treated soil were similarly assayed at intervals after sowing or planting.

4. The hexoestrol disappeared from the soil within a few weeks. Where the initial concentration was 10 μg/kg, no hexoestrol could be detected after 4 weeks, the lowest detectable level being 4 μg/kg. Where the initial concentration was 50 μg/kg, the concentration had fallen to about 4 μg/kg after 4 weeks and to about 2 μg/kg after 8 weeks.

5. Part of the loss is due to leaching into lower layers of the soil.

6. No oestrogenic activity could be demonstrated in grass grown on the treated plots when cut at 7, 17 or 22 weeks after sowing.

7. No oestrogenic activity could be demonstrated in cabbage grown on the treated plots when cut at 8 or 16 weeks after planting.

8. No oestrogenic activity could be demonstrated in clover grown on the treated plots when cut at 7 or 17 weeks after sowing. Clover grown on the treated plots showed a low level of oestrogenic activity when cut at 22 weeks. Clover grown on untreated soil under the same conditions showed no activity.

The practical significance of these findings is discussed.
THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AGE, NUMBERS OF OOCYTES AND FERTILITY IN VIRGIN AND MULTIPAROUS MICE
Authors: JONES ESTHER C. , KROHN P. L.
Published: December 2008

The oocytes in the ovaries of virgin and multiparous mice (A, CBA, RIII and CBA × A strains) have been classified and counted. The ages of the virgin mice ranged from 0 (the day of birth) to 933 days and of the breeding mice from 93 to 735 days.

In each strain there is a continuous gradual decline in numbers of oocytes which can be expressed by regression equations of the form: log y = a + b (x − [unk]), where y = number of oocytes and x = age in days. The strains differ in the stage of development reached at birth, in the total numbers of oocytes they contain and in the rates at which the oocytes are lost (given by the regression coefficients b). CBA mice lose their oocytes most rapidly and this is the only strain in which the ovary became totally depleted of oocytes long before death.

The proportion of oocytes classified as normal, on histological grounds, falls during the first few weeks of life to a figure of 50–60%, around which it remains throughout the rest of life. The strain with the highest proportion of normal oocytes was the one in which the decline in total numbers occurred most slowly.

Breeding has no significant effect on the rate at which the total number of oocytes declines.

Figures for the levels of fertility (in terms of litter size at birth) throughout the reproductive lifespan follow the accepted pattern of rising productivity for the first few litters followed by a gradual decline until the mice become sterile. The levels of fertility differ between the strains but cannot be related either to the total number of oocytes, the rate at which they decrease, or to a decline in numbers of Graafian follicles or corpora lutea. It is suggested that the explanation for the decline in fertility towards the end of the reproductive lifespan is more likely to be found in defects in the hormonal control of the ovary or in the uterine environment rather than in the loss of oocytes per se.
THE EFFECT OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY ON AGE CHANGES IN THE OVARIES OF MICE
Authors: JONES ESTHER C. , KROHN P. L.
Published: December 2008

Hypophysectomy in the mouse (A, CBA, RIII and RIII × CBA strains) significantly retards, but does not wholly prevent, the normal progressive loss of oocytes from the ovary. The proportion of follicles judged to be normal on histological criteria rises from levels of 50–60% to levels of 60–75%. CBA strain mice which normally lose oocytes faster than the other strains still show this difference after hypophysectomy.

The extent to which the ovaries of hypophysectomized mice retain their normal function after more than 300 days in a gonadotrophin-free environment has been tested by transplanting them orthotopically into normal female hosts. In all cases, the grafts responded to gonadotrophin supplied by the new host and in the favourable environment provided by a young host produced normal litters as satisfactorily as transplanted normal ovaries.
PITUITARY AND ADRENAL INFLUENCE ON THE 'ENDOCRINE-KIDNEY SYNDROME'
Authors: NÁDASDI M.
Published: December 2008

Experiments on rats indicate that:

1. Permanent unilateral renal ischaemia (the 'endocrine kidney') plus administration of Na2HPO4 produces a characteristic cardiovascular-renal syndrome consisting of two basic types of lesions: (a) cardiac hyalinization (with periarteritis), and (b) infarct-like myocardial necrosis. The non-ischaemic kidney reveals severe calcification.

2. Adrenalectomy does not significantly alter this pathological pattern.

3. Hypophysectomy prevents the hyalinization and periarteritis, inhibits nephrocalcinosis, but does not affect the infarct-like necroses.

4. The endocrine-kidney syndrome, both in its appearance and in its response to pituitary and adrenal influence, is identical with the cardiovascular manifestations of an overdosage of mineralocorticoids.
OESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE LEVELS IN PREGNANT RHESUS MONKEYS
Authors: SHORT R. V. , ECKSTEIN P.
Published: December 2008

Progesterone was chemically determined in the placental tissue of four rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), and in the blood and placenta of a fifth monkey at the time of an elective caesarean section near term. The urine of the same animal was also collected before the operation and assayed for oestradiol-17β, oestrone and oestriol.

Comparison with the reported results of similar assays in women revealed a marked difference between the two species. The concentrations of all steroids measured in the monkey were invariably lower than the corresponding human ones, the difference in placental progesterone being of the order of 30–40 times. Oestriol appears to be absent from the urine of pregnant macaques.

The reason for the difference in hormone levels between pregnant women and rhesus monkeys would seem to be the lesser endocrine activity of the monkey placenta.

These findings are briefly discussed and it is tentatively concluded that in the production (and probably in the metabolism) of oestrogens and progesterone during pregnancy the macaque appears more closely related to the domestic animals than to the higher primates.
THE IMMUNOLOGICAL ASSAY OF GROWTH HORMONE IN HUMAN SERUM
Authors: HARTOG M. , FRASER RUSSELL
Published: December 2008

An immunological method for the assay of growth hormone in human serum is described. The method, based on that of Read, has a reproducibility of 20%; the normal mean level for adults was found to be 172 μg./l., and the range of two standard deviations was 88–256 μg./l. serum. The assay has shown raised levels in seven out of ten acromegalic patients and lowered ones in four out of seven hypopituitary patients.
HYPOTHALAMIC CONTROL OF PITUITARY GONADOTROPHINS
Authors: GALE C. C. , McCANN S. M.
Published: December 2008

Impairments in gestation, parturition, and milk ejection were produced when electrolytic lesions were placed in the median eminence of the tuber cinereum of pregnant rats at various stages of gestation. Thus, uterine implantation of ova was blocked in 65% of rats following placement of lesions on day 1 of gestation, and implantation of ova was induced in these animals by administration of oestrogen. When lesions localized to the caudal median eminence were placed on days 4–9, implantation was not blocked but abortion-resorption resulted in 90% of cases. Replacement studies during pregnancy in rats with lesions in the caudal median eminence suggest that (1) all aborting rats were deficient in gonadotrophins necessary for secretion of oestrogen, and (2) half of them were deficient in luteotrophin as well. (That is, luteotrophin had no replacement value, while oestrogen therapy permitted maintenance of gestation in 54% of cases, and oestrogen plus progesterone allowed 100% to remain pregnant.) In rats receiving lesions on days 7–9 and maintaining gestation to term, 32% of those with severe diabetes insipidus experienced difficulty during delivery. Placement of lesions after day 13 impaired neither gestation nor parturition. The observation that most rats with lesions were able to deliver their litters normally but were unable to eject milk following suckling stimuli suggests that oxytocin is not essential for parturition in this species. Most of the rats with lesions failed to resume oestrous cycles; of the few showing return of normal or irregular cycles, the majority failed to mate.
STUDIES ON GRANULATION TISSUE PRODUCTION IN ALLOXAN-DIABETIC RATS
Authors: NAGY S. , RÉDEI A. , KARÁDY S.
Published: December 2008

Alloxan-diabetic rats produce significantly less granulation tissue than normal ones. Locally applied growth hormone (STH), which stimulates granulation tissue in normal rats, lost this ability in diabetic animals. Adrenalectomized alloxan-diabetic rats also fail to respond by increased granulation tissue growth to STH. The stimulation of granulation tissue by STH seems to depend on an adequate supply of insulin.
THE INFLUENCE OF IODIDE AND ELEMENTAL IODINE ON PROTEIN-BOUND IODINE AND SERUM LIPIDS IN THE BABOON (PAPIO URSINUS)
Authors: van ZYL A.
Published: December 2008

Intramuscular injections of iodide (1 mg./kg. body wt./day) caused a rise of the serum protein-bound iodine (PBI) in normal, thyroidectomized, hypophysectomized and thyro-hypophysectomized baboons. The rise of the serum PBI resulting from iodide injections was only a fraction of the increase observed when the baboons were injected with similar doses of elemental iodine.

Intramuscular injections of elemental iodine dissolved in propylene glycol caused a decrease of the serum lipids in totally thyroidectomized baboons, but not in normal or partially thyroidectomized baboons.
SERUM PROTEIN-BOUND IODINE AND SERUM LIPID CHANGES IN THE THYROIDECTOMIZED, HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED, CASTRATED AND ADRENALECTOMIZED BABOON (PAPIO URSINUS)
Authors: van ZYL A. , GILLMAN J. , GILBERT C.
Published: December 2008

Thyroidectomy, hypophysectomy, pituitary stalk section and thyro-hypophysectomy cause a rapid decline in the serum protein-bound iodine (PBI) of the baboon. A low PBI level was, however, persistently maintained in serum from thyroidectomized baboons. The serum PBI of castrated baboons remained normal, whereas a significant increase was observed after adrenalectomy. The mean serum lipids and cholesterol:lipid phosphorus ratio were elevated in thyroidectomized baboons and tended to return to normal in cases of thyroid nodule regeneration. After hypophysectomy and pituitary stalk section the serum total cholesterol was higher than that of the normal adult baboon, while thyro-hypophysectomy resulted in a significant decrease of the total lipids, total cholesterol and lipid phosphorus. These low lipid concentrations in the absence of the pituitary and thyroid were maintained more consistently than in the normal thyroidectomized or hypophysectomized baboon.

Castration in the baboon led to a significant rise of all lipid fractions under investigation.

Hypophysectomy in the baboon caused an increased sensitivity to adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisone, as judged by the serum lipid response. Such an increased sensitivity seemed to be absent in the thyro-hypophysectomized baboon.
THE EFFECT OF INSULIN ON THE UPTAKE OF MONOSACCHARIDES BY THE RAT LENS
Authors: LEVARI RUTH , KORNBLUETH W. , WERTHEIMER E.
Published: December 2008

1. A direct stimulatory effect of insulin, in vitro, on the uptake of galactose, glucosamine and some pentoses by the intact lens, has been established. Stimulation of glucose uptake is perceptible only under certain conditions, and was more pronounced in a medium of bicarbonate buffer than in phosphate.

2. Insulin increased lactic acid production from glucose and from galactose.

3. Chronic diabetes decreased galactose uptake. Insulin, in vitro, restored the uptake to the level of that of normal rat lenses.

4. Phloridzin was found to cancel the effect of insulin.

5. The increase in uptake by insulin was of the same order of magnitude for glucose and galactose, irrespective of the total uptake. The decrease in uptake due to diabetes was quantitatively the same as the increase by insulin in normal rat lenses. The effect of insulin on lactic acid production was identical for both hexoses.

6. The possible existence of two pathways of glucose uptake in the rat lens is discussed.
DIURNAL RHYTHMS OF KETO- AND KETOGENIC STEROID EXCRETION AND THE ADAPTATION TO CHANGES OF THE ACTIVITY-SLEEP ROUTINE
Authors: SHARP G. W. G. , SLORACH S. A. , VIPOND H. J.
Published: December 2008

1. An investigation of the diurnal rhythms of keto- and ketogenic steroid excretion has been carried out in four human subjects. The subjects lived, under standardized conditions of diet, activity and lighting, in Spitsbergen where 24 hr. daylight persists during the summer.

2. A study of the adaptation of their rhythms to a reversed activity-sleep and light-darkness schedule has been made, and of the subsequent re-adaptation to normal schedules.

3. Adaptation of the ketosteroid rhythm occurred in 2 days and of the ketogenic steroid rhythm in 8 days.

4. The ketosteroid excretory rhythm may depend immediately, and the ketogenic steroid rhythm ultimately, upon habit and environment.

5. Evidence has been presented to suggest that the ketogenic steroid rhythm is dependent upon the synchronization of pituitary and adrenal responsiveness. During the reversal of rhythm, adrenocortical activity takes place initially in the early 'evening' and 'night', occurring progressively earlier each day until it synchronizes with the new time scale.

6. The significance of these findings is discussed.
AGE AS A FACTOR DETERMINING THE SEVERITY AND REVERSIBILITY OF THE EFFECTS OF THYROID DEPRIVATION IN THE RAT
Authors: EAYRS J. T.
Published: December 2008

1. The effect of the age at which thyroidectomy is performed and replacement therapy begun has been studied in the rat using the Hebb-Williams closed field test to measure cerebral capacity.

2. Rats thyroidectomized at birth, either by giving 131I or by the chronic administration of methyl thiouracil, made significantly more errors than did normal litter-mates. The degree of impairment was progressively reduced when thyroidectomy was delayed, and the behaviour of rats thyroidectomized on the 25th day of age proved indistinguishable from that of the euthyroid individual.

3. Replacement therapy with triiodothyronine was completely successful in neonatally thyroidectomized rats when begun by the 10th day of age, but unsuccessful if delayed until the 24th day.

4. Qualitative changes in behaviour were observed as a result of thyroidectomy at birth but tended to disappear when thyroidectomy was delayed or when therapy was started early. These included a more rapid rate of habituation and an increased tendency to perseverate. There was also some evidence of a difference between normal and thyroidectomized animals in the mode of solution of the several problems presented.

5. The reported experimental findings reinforce the view that thyroid hormone is a potent factor regulating cerebral development during a critical period of life, and that in its absence developmental abnormalities arise which are as yet ill-defined but cannot be reversed by subsequent replacement therapy.
ASSAYS FOR GONADOTROPHINS IN THE PITUITARY GLAND OF THE ARCTIC COD, GADUS MORHUA L., AND THE PRESENCE OF A GONADOTROPHIC ANTAGONIST
Authors: WOODHEAD A. D.
Published: December 2008

The presence of gonadotrophins in the pituitary gland of the cod was demonstrated in assays on other lower vertebrates. Injections of cod pituitary stimulated a 42% increase in the ovarian weight of the female rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus L.), and sperm release in the male common frog (Rana temporaria).

The injection of cod pituitary powder into immature rats failed to cause any increase in ovarian weight in standard assays. In all experiments the resulting ovarian weights of the treated animals were slightly less than those of the control groups. The cod pituitary also failed to induce ovulation in the mature female rabbit.

When immature female rats were treated simultaneously with cod pituitary and with mammalian gonadotrophins, the cod pituitary inhibited the ovarian response to the mammalian hormones. This inhibition was proportional to the dose of cod pituitary given.

The cod gonadotrophic antagonist was shown to be confined to the pituitary gland; injections of cod muscle powder and cod brain powder did not have any inhibitory effects. All the cod pituitary samples tested contained the antigonadotrophic factor, but there was some seasonal variation in the intensity of the inhibition produced. The nature of the cod pituitary factor is discussed, together with the significance of these results to the concept of the species specificity of vertebrate gonadotrophins.
HISTOPHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX OF THE RAT IN DEHYDRATION AND REHYDRATION
Authors: BACHRACH D. , SZABÓ ÉVA B. , BARADNAY Gy. , KORPÁSSY B.
Published: December 2008

The adrenal cortex of rats was studied during different periods of deprivation and re-introduction of drinking water. Dehydration following thirst caused an increase in the width and nuclear volume of the cells of the zona glomerulosa. The cellular hypertrophy of the zone was associated with a rise in the serum sodium level, thus indicating hyperactivity of this zone. After re-introducing drinking water following thirsting, the z. glomerulosa did not show a uniform pattern, regression of its hypertrophy being uneven, and occurring in several animals at different times. Normalization of the zone may be immediately preceded by a temporary increase of activity.

Hypertrophy of the z. glomerulosa associated with a rise in serum sodium level may take place simultaneously with both the hypertrophy and the regression of the zona fasciculata and with both hyperfunction and a state of rest (or equilibrium) of the antidiuretic centres.

Dehydration following thirsting seems to be a particular type of stress, which exerts a stimulating effect on both external layers of the adrenal cortex alike.
DOMESTIC PIGEONS: THE STIMULUS PROVIDED BY THE EGG IN THE NEST
Authors: MEDWAY LORD
Published: December 2008

The effectiveness of various isolated tactile or visual stimuli in maintaining brooding behaviour in pigeons has been studied. It was found that:

In the light

(1) The presence of any number of eggs in the nest, whether greater or fewer than the normal clutch size, is equally effective in maintaining brooding behaviour.

(2) Any solid model of the approximate size of the natural egg may be an effective stimulus to brooding.

(3) Flat oval models, or even the eggs themselves if physical contact with them is prevented, are not effective.

(4) Simple stimulation of afferent nerve endings of the apterium is not an effective stimulus in the absence of the egg.

(5) Total denervation of the skin of the apterium does not diminish the effective stimulus provided by the natural egg.

(6) If prevented from tactile (but not visual) contact with the male, nest bowl and eggs, incubating behaviour in the female continues only so long as the male continues to brood.

In the dark

(7) Solid egg-shaped models are an effective stimulus for normal birds.

(8) Normal incubating behaviour may or may not be maintained after denervation of the apterium.

It is concluded that, in the domestic pigeon with previous breeding experience, no one class of sensory receptors and no one afferent route are concerned in the neural pathway conveying the stimulus provided by the present egg to the hypothalamus.
GLYCOSIDASES IN THE CORPUS LUTEUM
Authors: LEVVY G. A. , McALLAN A. , HAY A. J.
Published: December 2008

1. The corpus luteum in cattle, pigs and women is rich in α-l-fucosidase, β-d-fucosidase, β-d-galactosidase, α-d-mannosidase, β-d-glucuronidase and β-N-acetyl-d-glucosaminidase activity. In comparison, the activity of these enzymes in the follicular fluid is usually negligible. The remainder of the ovarian tissue approximates to the follicles in activity.

2. The activities found in the corpora lutea of pregnant and non-pregnant animals were the same.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF MAINTAINING GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS (LARUS GLAUCESCENS) ON FRESH WATER AND SEA WATER FOR LONG PERIODS
Authors: HOLMES W. N. , BUTLER D. G. , PHILLIPS J. G.
Published: December 2008

Developing marine birds, but not mature ones, when maintained on sea water failed to grow at the same rate as those maintained on fresh water. In both developing and mature birds maintained on sea water the size of the adrenal glands and supraorbital nasal glands showed dramatic increases. The significance of these changes is discussed in relation to both the results of other workers and our recent work on the salt-loaded domestic duck.
PHOSPHATASE AND CHOLINESTERASE IN THE HYPOTHALAMO-HYPOPHYSIAL SYSTEM OF THE MONKEY
Authors: HOLMES R. L.
Published: December 2008

A high concentration of alkaline phosphatase occurs in the vessels of the hypothalamus and neurohypophysis of the macaque, and a low concentration in the cytoplasm of neurones of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. These neurones contain a high concentration of acid phosphatase, and also both true and pseudo-cholinesterase. The neurohypophysis contains only pseudo-cholinesterase in a predominantly perivascular distribution.
THE MAINTENANCE OF LACTATION IN THE GOAT AFTER HYPOPHYSECTOMY
Authors: COWIE A. T. , TINDAL J. S.
Published: December 2008

Five adult goats were hypophysectomized during lactation; within 10 days their milk yields dropped to a fifth or less of the preoperative levels.

The daily milk yield of one of these goats was increased from 10 to 288 ml. by giving daily injections of ox anterior-pituitary extract; the yield of a second goat was increased from 110 to 1315 ml. by daily injections of sheep anterior-pituitary extract. Treatment of the three other goats with purified anterior-pituitary hormones, corticoids, insulin and triiodo-l-thyronine increased their milk yields from 230, 10 and 45 ml./day to 1480, 1320 and 270 ml./day, respectively.

Milk secretion was induced in the right udder-half of a sixth animal—which had been hypophysectomized in mid-pregnancy and had aborted—by the local injection of prolactin into the parenchyma of the right udder-half plus the systemic injection of somatotrophin; general lactation was subsequently induced and maintained by systemic treatment with prolactin, somatotrophin, adrenocorticotrophin, corticoids, insulin and triiodo-l-thyronine. The maximum daily yield of the animal was 625 ml.

Prolactin and somatotrophin appear to be major components of the lactogenic and galactopoietic complexes in the goat, but further study is required to determine their relative importance and to confirm a preliminary observation that lactation may proceed in the hypophysectomized goat at least for a time by treatment with hormone combinations which include somatotrophin but not prolactin.

A marked increase in water intake of one hypophysectomized goat appeared to be associated with the administration of somatotrophin.

The possibility of species specificities existing in relation to prolactin are discussed.
THE ACTIVITY OF A NUMBER OF OESTROGENS AS TESTED IN THE SPAYED EWE
Authors: ROBINSON T. J. , REARDON T. F.
Published: December 2008

Eight oestrogens were tested for potency in spayed ewes.

A. The estimated m.e.d.'s (μg.) for (a) vaginal and (b) behavioural oestrus, with associated 95% fiducial limits were:

(1) Natural oestrogens (free).

β-Oestradiol: (a) 9·2-11·7-14·6, (b) 9·7-11·2-12·8; oestrone: (a) 39·5-54·1-74·0, (b) 71·1–81·7-93·7; oestriol: (a) 745-961-1241, (b) 877-985-1108.

(2) Natural oestrogens (conjugated).

Oestradiol benzoate: (a) 3·7-6·6-11·6, (b) 13·5-14·9-16·4; oestrone benzoate: (a) 17·0-33·3-65·3, (b) 90·0-100·3-111·9.

(3) Synthetic oestrogens.

Stilboestrol: (a) 3·6-8·2-18·6, (b) 23·2-27·5-32·7; hexoestrol: (a) 6·5-12·7-25·9, (b) 21·0-30·5-44·5; dienoestrol: (a) 22·4-40·1-68·8, (b) 80·4-95·3-112·7.

B. Relative potencies on the basis of free oestrogen, and related to β-oestradiol = 100, were:

(1) Vaginal oestrus:

oestradiol benzoate 234, stilboestrol 143, β-oestradiol 100, hexoestrol 92, oestrone benzoate 47, dienoestrol 29, oestrone 22, oestriol 1.

There was no clear pattern of seasonal change of ewe sensitivity as measured by vaginal changes.

(2) Behavioural oestrus.

(a) Uncorrected for seasonal variation in sensitivity of ewes:

oestradiol benzoate 100, β-oestradiol 100, stilboestrol 41, hexoestrol 37, oestrone benzoate 15, oestrone 14, dienoestrol 12, oestriol 1.

(b) Corrected for seasonal variation:

oestradiol benzoate 128, β-oestradiol 100, stilboestrol 71, hexoestrol 66, dienoestrol 21, oestrone 17, oestrone benzoate 15, oestriol 1.

Oestradiol and dienoestrol were more effective when the dose was given as three injections than when given as a single injection. Oestrone was less effective when given as a divided dose. Other oestrogens were unaffected by frequency of injection, but the slope of response to stilboestrol was increased by dividing the dose.
THE EXCRETION OF INDIVIDUAL 17-OXOSTEROIDS IN CUSHING'S SYNDROME
Authors: JAMES V. H. T.
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion levels of individual 17-oxosteroids in eight patients with Cushing's syndrome have been determined quantitatively. Using these values approximate secretion rates of cortisol and 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione were calculated and found to be elevated above the normal range. The excretion values for 11-deoxy-17-oxosteroids were highly variable, being below normal, normal or elevated in different patients. The excretion patterns in adrenocortical hyperplasia and carcinoma showed no characteristic differences; however, the patients with adrenal adenoma showed steroid excretions which suggested that these tumours secreted cortisol almost exclusively, together with small quantities of 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione, and minimal amounts of 11-deoxy-C19-steroids. The majority of patients excreted aetiocholanolone and androsterone in an abnormally high ratio; this also occurred after administration of androst-4-ene-3:17-dione, and it is suggested that in Cushing's syndrome the hepatic enzymes preferentially reduce adrenal androgen to metabolites with the 5β configuration.
THYROID FUNCTION IN THE FOETUS OF THE MACAQUE MONKEY (MACACA MULATTA)
Authors: PICKERING D. E. , KONTAXIS N. E.
Published: December 2008

The foetal thyroid gland of the macaque monkey (Macaca mulatta) actively incorporates iodide and synthesizes thyroxine and its precursors monoiodotyrosine and diiodotyrosine. These iodinated components are retained in the foetal thyroid gland as they are synthesized, as has been shown by the uptake and distribution of 131I among the iodinated components and by the quantity of each component present in glands obtained from foetuses delivered by caesarean section 75, 90, 105, 120 and 150 days following conception.

Butanol extractable iodine values of foetal serum, initially low, increase with foetal age and range from 1·2 to 4·5 μg./100 ml. serum at 75 and 150 days, respectively, while maternal values remain approx. 6 μg./100 ml. serum throughout pregnancy.

Follicles of the foetal thyroid gland are present at 75 days following conception and progressively increase in number and size with increasing foetal age; colloid increases proportionately.
PREPARATION OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE
Authors: WALLACE A. L. C. , FERGUSON K. A.
Published: December 2008

A simple method for the preparation of human growth hormone using chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose is described. Material prepared in this way, when assayed by growth of the tibial epiphysial cartilage in hypophysectomized rats, is at least as active as material prepared by published methods and is obtained in high yield. The only other anterior pituitary hormone activity present in any concentration is prolactin.
EFFECTS OF X-IRRADIATION ON DIFFERENTIATING LEYDIG CELLS OF THE IMMATURE RAT
Authors: WALL P. G.
Published: December 2008

Male rats were exposed to 400, 800 or 1200 r at varying ages after birth (3–36 days). The subsequent secretory capacity of the testis, as judged by the weight of the accessory sex organs, was markedly impaired following irradiation. The effect of X-irradiation on the secretory interstitial (Leydig) cells depended on both the dose of X-rays used, and the age of the animals at the time of exposure. The reduction in the secretion of androgen was associated with a decrease in the volume of intertubular tissue. The secretory cells became progressively more radio-resistant as the animals neared the age of puberty.

The ability of Leydig cells to respond to exogenous gonadotrophin was diminished by irradiation. In contrast, the response of the accessory sex organs to exogenous androgen was not appreciably affected.

The results thus clearly demonstrate that the Leydig cells of the pre-pubertal testis are considerably more susceptible to radiation-induced damage than are those of the adult testis.
HORMONAL BASIS FOR IMPAIRMENTS IN MILK SYNTHESIS AND MILK EJECTION FOLLOWING HYPOTHALAMIC LESIONS
Authors: GALE C. C. , TALEISNIK S. , FRIEDMAN H. M. , McCANN S. M.
Published: December 2008

The placing of electrolytic lesions in the median eminence of the hypothalamic tuber cinereum induces severe impairment of lactation in rats by causing deficiencies in pituitary secretion of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH; essential for milk synthesis) and of oxytocin (necessary for milk ejection).

Thus, in rats with lesions given oxytocin × 2/day to permit milk ejection, it was observed that: (1) the severity of impairment in lactation correlated significantly with the degree of atrophy of the dams' adrenal glands; (2) administration of luteotrophin (LTH) failed to repair this defect in lactation; (3) when cortisol was administered milk production was markedly improved—to about 70–80% of normal for days 5–10—(a further slight increase in milk yield resulted when oxytocin injections were given every 4 hr. 'around the clock' to rats receiving cortisol therapy); and (4) administration of regimens consisting of either LTH and cortisol, or LTH, growth hormone (GH), and cortisol failed to improve lactation beyond levels attained with cortisol therapy alone. In hypophysectomized rats replacement with cortisol and LTH, plus oxytocin × 2/day, permitted substantial synthesis which was not significantly improved further when GH was added to the regimen, and which promptly declined when LTH therapy was withdrawn. Since no deficiency in secretion of LTH could be demonstrated in lactating rats with lesions given hormonal replacement, these data provide evidence that elimination of hypothalamic regulatory mechanisms by hypothalamic lesions is compatible with secretion of large amounts of LTH. This demonstration that lesions in the median eminence block release of ACTH while permitting continued secretion of LTH indicates that the hypothalamic mechanisms regulating their release are not identical.
STEROIDS PRESENT IN THE FOLLICULAR FLUID OF THE COW
Authors: SHORT R. V.
Published: December 2008

The following steroids have been identified in the follicular fluid of the cow (results expressed as μg./l.): pregnenolone, 3·3 μg.; progesterone, 233·0 μg.; 20β-hydroxy-pregn-4-en-3-one, 23·0 μg.; 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 37·6 μg.; androstenedione, 31·5 μg.; testosterone, 22·1 μg.; oestrone, 5·4 μg.; oestradiol-17β, 94·0 μg.

It was not possible to detect any cortisol, 19-norandrostenedione, epitestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone or 6α-hydroxyoestradiol-17β, although each of these steroids has been identified in equine follicular fluid. It therefore seems as if there are qualitative as well as quantitative differences between species with respect to the steroids present in follicular fluid. However, progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, oestrone and oestradiol-17β are present in bovine, equine and human follicular fluid, and oestradiol-17β is the predominant oestrogen in all three species.
ADRENALS AND REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF FEMALE MICE KEPT SINGLY, GROUPED, OR GROUPED WITH A VASECTOMIZED MALE
Authors: MODY JER K. , CHRISTIAN J. J.
Published: December 2008

The three experimental groups consisted of mature females maintained singly, in groups of six, or grouped in threes with a vasectomized male. The animals were inbred from wild house mice. Duration or frequency of oestrus did not differ between the isolated and the grouped females at 10 weeks of age, but at 20 weeks of age the mean duration of oestrus was greater in the isolated females. Degeneration of the adrenal X-zone and an increase in the number of corpora lutea in the ovaries occurred with grouping. These changes were enhanced in the females which had undergone recurrent pseudopregnancies. In these latter animals, mammary acinar proliferation and uterine endometriosis were seen. Alterations in the histology of the adrenal glands and ovaries, together with characteristics peculiar to this strain, are described. The degenerated X-zone, increased corpora lutea, uterine changes, and mammary acinar development, suggest that there may be an increase in androgens and progestins with grouping and pseudopregnancy.
CORTICOTROPHIC STUDIES WITH ASPIRIN
Authors: WAY E. LEONG , TAYLOR JOAN , OLD L. J. , GEORGE R.
Published: December 2008

The effect of aspirin in reducing adrenal ascorbic acid in Sprague—Dawley rats was studied using each animal as its own control. The response to aspirin was blocked by lesions in the region of the median eminence and by hypophysectomy. Removal of the pars nervosa also resulted in depression of the response in the majority of cases. In normal animals the dose of aspirin which produced marked reduction of adrenal ascorbic acid failed to promote antidiuresis. It was concluded that pituitary-adrenal activation by aspirin is mediated via the hypothalamus and that release of the antidiuretic hormone is not essential for this effect.
COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF SEVERAL GONADOTROPHIN, PROGESTIN AND OESTROGEN TREATMENTS IN THE ANOESTROUS EWE
Authors: ROBINSON T. J.
Published: December 2008

Three factorial design tests are described, involving 528 anoestrous crossbred ewes, in which were studied the ovarian and behavioural responses to several combinations of dose and types of gonadotrophin, of dose, type and duration and frequency of progestin, and of small doses of oestrogen with gonadotrophin.

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) increased ovarian weight more than pregnant mares' serum (PMS). Both gonadotrophins were equally effective in inducing ovulation. In one test, but not in the other two, HCG was much less effective than PMS in causing oestrus with ovulation. The most important factors affecting the incidence of oestrus, with ovulation, were the duration and the frequency of injection of progesterone. Injection of 15–45 μg. oestradiol benzoate (ODB) with gonadotrophin increased the proportion of ewes in oestrus, but suppressed ovulation in some cases. HCG tended to increase the incidence of cystic follicles and number of ovulations.

'Proluton-D' (17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate) was no substitute for progesterone in the ovulation-oestrus phenomenon.

The data suggest that the response to PMS of ewes of different ages and in different years is relatively predictable, whereas that to HCG is highly variable.
STEROIDS IN THE FOLLICULAR FLUID AND THE CORPUS LUTEUM OF THE MARE. A 'TWO-CELL TYPE' THEORY OF OVARIAN STEROID SYNTHESIS
Authors: SHORT R. V.
Published: December 2008

A comparison has been made between the steroids present in equine follicular fluid and luteal tissue. Follicular fluid was found to contain progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, epitestosterone, 19-norandrostenedione, oestrone, oestradiol-17β and 6α-hydroxyoestradiol-17β, in confirmation of previous studies. On the other hand, luteal tissue contained large amounts of progesterone and 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, and a small quantity of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone. No C18 or C19 steroids could be detected.

These findings are therefore interpreted as evidence in favour of a 'two-cell type' theory of steroid formation in the ovary. One type, possibly the theca interna cell, has the ability to convert progesterone into oestrogens; the other type, possibly the luteinized granulosa cell, has a diminished 17-hydroxylating ability and is unable to cleave the C21 side chain to make C18 and C19 steroids. However, it does have an active 20-reductase enzyme system present.
A COMPARISON OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF PROLACTIN BY THREE METHODS OF ASSAY
Authors: EVANS ANNE J. , FERGUSON K. A. , KOVAČIĆ NADA
Published: December 2008

Three preparations of prolactin have been assayed against a reference preparation by different techniques.

These are the prolongation of dioestrus in the mouse, the in vitro method depending on the increase of β-glucuronidase in the rat testis, and the pigeon crop sac method.

The results have been compared and discussed.
THE EFFECT OF PRIMING INTERVAL AND DOSE ON THE MOUSE UTERINE RESPONSE TO OESTROGEN
Authors: STONE G. M.
Published: December 2008

The assay of oestradiol by the mouse uterine weight method gives similar responses to priming doses of 1 μg. or 10 μg. The optimum priming interval with either dose is 8–11 days. With intervals longer than 2 weeks a decrease in both slope and sensitivity is obtained.
ON THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF GLUCOCORTICOIDS ON PHOSPHOLIPID METABOLISM IN RABBITS
Authors: FELT V. , RÖHLING S. , VOHNOUT S. , REICHL D.
Published: December 2008

1. The mechanism of action of large doses of glucocorticoids has been investigated in two series of rabbits, the first receiving cortisone and the second an infusion of olive oil to induce a condition simulating 'mobilization of depot fat' to the liver.

2. The metabolic turnover of liver phospholipids is enhanced both after cortisone and after infusion for 9 hr. with a fat emulsion.

3. Changes in lipid composition in serum and liver were almost identical after cortisone or infusion of fat emulsion. Levels of neutral fat, non-esterified fatty acids, phospholipids and cholesterol, and also glucose, were increased in serum; neutral fat accumulated in the liver. Neither cortisone nor fat infusion caused any changes in lipids in the aorta.

4. The present findings are taken as evidence of the secondary nature of changes in phospholipid metabolism after cortisone. Cortisone causes primarily an accelerated transfer of non-esterified and esterified fatty acids from the depots to the liver during decreased glucose utilization. An increased supply of fatty acids from the blood to the liver after treatment with cortisone leads to their increased incorporation into phospholipid molecules.