bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE DETERMINATION OF OESTROGENS IN BODY FLUIDS
Authors: BRAUNSBERG HANNELORE , OSBORN S. B. , STERN MARGARET I.
Published: December 2008

1. The estimation of oestrogens by means of their fluorescence in phosphoric acid has been investigated in some detail.

2. A highly sensitive fluorimeter is described; with suitable filters it was possible to measure accurately 0·01 μg of oestradiol, 0·02 μg of oestrone and 0·05 μg of oestriol.

3. Several light sources and filter combinations have been studied. The most satisfactory light source is a bright tungsten lamp, and for maximal sensitivity a primary filter consisting of a Wratten 49 and an Ilford 809 together with a secondary filter combination of Ilford 404 and 110 are used.

4. Interference with fluorescence is discussed. This arises from insufficiently pure reagents and incomplete purification of the oestrogens when extracted from body fluids. Two tests for the presence of quenching are suggested; they can also be applied quantitatively to correct for such interference, although their validity is not yet proved.
IMMATURE RAT OVARIES GRAFTED AFTER FREEZING AND THAWING
Authors: DEANESLY RUTH
Published: December 2008

Ovaries from rats about 7 days old were cut into halves, soaked in glycerol-saline, frozen to − 79° C, thawed and implanted subcutaneously in adult ovariectomized females. Part of the implanted tissue decayed, but the rest, including some of the follicles and ova, recovered rapidly and formed functional grafts.
GROWTH OF THE MAMMARY DUCT SYSTEM IN INTACT AND OVARIECTOMIZED MICE OF THE CHI STRAIN
Authors: FLUX D. S.
Published: December 2008

The changes in the rate of growth in area and in arborescence of the duct system of intact and ovariectomized female mice of the CHI strain have been measured by objective means.

The duct system of intact mice grows in area at a rate isometric with (body weight)⅔ until the mice are about 24 days old, when the rate of growth becomes positively allometric. The number of junctions in the duct system is almost constant before the phase of rapid growth in area begins, but increases rapidly for a time, then more slowly until the mice are between 56 and 84 days old when little further increase is seen. These changes do not occur in ovariectomized mice less than 84 days old, but by 1 year such mice showed evidence of stimulation of the mammary glands (mammae) and uteri, the source of the stimulating factor being presumably hyperplastic tissue in the adrenal cortices.

The duct system of ovariectomized mice 42 days old, given 0·055 μg oestrone daily in 0·1 ml. arachis oil, did not differ significantly from that of intact controls, either in area or arborescence, and increasing the dose of oestrone to 0·1 μg daily caused no further change in area or arborescence. Ovariectomized mice given 0·01 μg oestrone daily showed duct systems which were double the area of those of ovariectomized controls, but considerably smaller than those of intact controls.

Weaning at 15 instead of the normal 21 days did not affect either normal or oestrone-induced growth of the mammae. The mammae of intact, suckling mice between 10 and 15 days old did not respond to oestrone or progesterone, but showed a slight growth in response to unfractionated anterior-pituitary suspension and a greater response when this suspension and oestrone (0·01 μg daily) were given together. A combination of anterior-pituitary suspension and progesterone caused a great increase in duct branching, but little if any increase in area of the duct systems. There was no response in area or branching when these mice were given oestrone and progesterone together, but a slight thickening of the ducts was observed, although this was less than in mice given unfractionated anterior-pituitary extract.
CRITERIA OF THE VAGINAL RESPONSE TO OESTROGENS
Authors: BIGGERS J. D. , CLARINGBOLD P. J.
Published: December 2008

By means of discriminant analysis the validity of a fourfold qualitative classification of vaginal smears has been examined in two inbred lines of mice and their reciprocal crosses.

For both the intravaginal and subcutaneous routes of administration with oestradiol-3:17β the vaginal response is shown to be truly quantal, no graded classification of responses being necessary.

It is shown that prooestrous smears should be classified as positive and also that the presence or absence of leucocytes is the best criterion for classification.
THE EFFECT OF INSULIN ON THE LEVELS OF ADRENALINE AND NORADRENALINE IN HUMAN BLOOD
Authors: WEIL-MALHERBE H. , BONE A. D.
Published: December 2008

The effects of insulin on the concentration of adrenaline and noradrenaline in human plasma and erythrocyte extracts were investigated with the aid of a fluorimetric method of estimation. The following results were obtained:

1. The intramuscular injection of insulin, in doses sufficient to induce hypoglycaemic coma, led to an immediate fall of the adrenaline concentration in plasma. The lowest value was usually found within 0·5 hr of the injection. Subsequent samples may show a slight rise, but the values remained well below the normal level of concentration. Termination of coma was followed by a return of the adrenaline concentration to the starting level or above. The concentration of noradrenaline in plasma and erythrocytes was not affected significantly. The concentration of adrenaline in erythrocytes showed a tendency to decrease.

2. The intravenous injection of insulin (0·1 unit/kg) produced a fall of the level of adrenaline in the plasma which reached its maximum within about 5 min. This was followed by a spontaneous return of the adrenaline concentration to the initial level. The noradrenaline level did not change significantly with the exception of a slight decrease after 90 min.

The concentration of both adrenaline and noradrenaline in erythrocytes tended to decrease, but the changes, except for one value, were not statistically significant.

3. The initial change in the concentration of adrenaline in the plasma was independent of the amount of insulin injected, but the higher the dose, the longer the delay in the spontaneous return to the normal level.

4. The termination of hypoglycaemic coma by an intravenous injection of glucose was accompanied by a rapid rise in the concentration of adrenaline in the plasma to a peak value which was reached after 5 min. Later the concentration of adrenaline became stabilized at an intermediate level. The concentration of noradrenaline in the plasma tended to rise, but the change was significant only in a group of samples taken 60 min after the injection of glucose. The termination of coma by a nasal glucose feed produced similar changes, but they were smaller and developed more gradually.

5. An intravenous injection of insulin (0·1 unit/kg) produced a fall in the concentration of adrenaline in venous blood which preceded a similar effect in arterial blood. There was thus a transitory increase in the arterio-venous difference in the concentration of adrenaline.

6. The results are discussed, and it is suggested that they can be explained by assuming that insulin increases the utilization of circulating adrenaline in the phosphorylase reaction.
THE ROLE OF THE THYROID IN THE PRODUCTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR AND RENAL CHANGES BY METHYLANDROSTENEDIOL
Authors: SALGADO E. , SELYE H.
Published: December 2008

Earlier experiments have shown that treatment with methylandrostenediol (MAD) results in the accumulation of hyalin granules in the adrenocortical cells. This is accompanied by the development of nephrosclerosis, periarteritis nodosa, myocarditis and other changes characteristic of an intoxication with mineralo-corticoids such as desoxycorticosterone. It had also been found that adrenalectomy prevents all these effects of MAD. The present experiments on rats show that, in the absence of the thyroid, the production by this steroid of hyalin granules in the adrenals is diminished but not abolished. At the same time there occurs a dissociation in the other actions of MAD in so far as nephrosclerosis, myocarditis and hypertension are largely inhibited; polyuria, thymus involution and the effects typical of all androgens are uninfluenced; while the severity of mesenteric periarteritis nodosa is actually aggravated by thyroidectomy. The significance of this dissociation is discussed in relation to the effects produced by excessive amounts of androgenic or mineralo-corticoid compounds.
THE EFFECT OF A HISTAMINASE-INHIBITOR (AMINOGUANIDINE) ON PREGNANCY IN THE RAT
Authors: ROBERTS M.
Published: December 2008

1. Aminoguanidine sulphate can inhibit in vitro the histaminase of rat placental extracts; given subcutaneously, it can also inhibit in vivo the placental and uterine histaminase of pregnant rats.

2. Aminoguanidine sulphate given subcutaneously to pregnant rats in doses producing more than about 50% inhibition of the maternal placental histaminase leads to a general disturbance of the course of pregnancy. The foetuses are more sensitive than the mother.

3. The results provide evidence that the great increase of placental and uterine histaminase during rat pregnancy plays an important part in maintaining pregnancy and bringing it to a successful conclusion.
THE SENSITIVITY OF ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS TO GONADOTROPHINS
Authors: MANDL ANITA M.
Published: December 2008

The sensitivity of adrenalectomized, control-operated and unoperated rats to pregnant mare serum (PMS) and chorionic gonadotrophin (CG) has been studied. A total of 638 mature and immature female rats was used.

The ovaries of adrenalectomized rats were found to contain fewer large follicles and corpora lutea than those of control-operated litter-mates, and the slight ovarian hypertrophy which occurs after surgical trauma was found to be due to an increase in the number of Graafian follicles and corpora lutea.

Further experiment showed that, as judged by the weight of the ovaries, adrenalectomy reduces the ovarian reaction to injected PMS (10 i.u./day) in both adult and immature rats. Replacement therapy with DCA (1 mg/day) failed to re-establish the normal response in adults. Treatment with cortisone (1 mg/day) restored the normal reaction in both adult and immature adrenalectomized rats.

Adrenalectomized adult rats responded to injected CG (10 i.u./day) as vigorously as their operated and unoperated litter-mates. On the other hand, immature adrenalectomized animals did not respond fully to CG. Treatment with cortisone again fully restored the normal reaction.
REDUCED MAINTENANCE OF FROGS USED FOR PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS BY ENFORCED HIBERNATION
Authors: ALLISON RHODA M.
Published: December 2008

A method is described for reducing the maintenance of frogs used for the diagnosis of pregnancy by enforced hibernation.

Fifty males (Rana esculenta) were stored in a domestic refrigerator; twenty were removed at the end of 5 months, and thirty at the end of 7 months, and all survived and were healthy.

Examination of the frogs' urine after injection of 1 ml. of untreated pregnancy urine, known to contain between 8 and 16 i.u. of chorionic gonadotrophin, showed that all fifty animals shed uncountable numbers of sperm.

It is suggested that in addition to the use of these animals for pregnancy work, they are always available for dissection and physiological experiments.
THE VALUE OF SOME STEROIDS IN REPLACEMENT THERAPY IN ADRENALECTOMIZED AND ADRENALECTOMIZED-OVARIECTOMIZED LACTATING RATS
Authors: FLUX D. S.
Published: December 2008

A number of 11-deoxysteroid compounds were tested at low and differing dose levels for their lactation-maintaining effect in adrenalectomized rats, the compounds being implanted subcutaneously in tablet form. Reichstein's compound S acetate was active, but Reichstein's compound L, 21-acetoxy pregnenolone, Δ5-pregnenolone acetate, Δ16-progesterone, 17-vinyltestosterone, 17-hydroxy-21-acetoxy Δ1-allopregnene-3, 20-dione, 3-(β)-21-diacetoxy allopregnane-20-one and allopregnane-21-ol-3, 20-dione acetate were inactive.

The ovaries of adrenalectomized lactating rats were found to exert a lactation-maintaining effect equivalent to that of about 3·1 mg progesterone daily. Progesterone showed a high threshold in its effect on lactation in adrenalectomized-ovariectomized rats.

In adrenalectomized-ovariectomized lactating rats Reichstein's compound S acetate maintained lactation as effectively as deoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) or cortisone. When used together in such rats DCA and cortisone acted synergistically. This synergism was not shown by cortisone and compound S acetate, but may have been shown to a lesser extent by DCA and compound S acetate. Lactational performance was not improved when the dose of DCA used daily with 1·1 mg cortisone was increased to above 0·43 mg daily, nor did the addition of 0·55 mg compound S acetate daily to this level of DCA and cortisone have a significant effect.

Adrenalectomized-ovariectomized lactating rats given DCA and compound S acetate increased in body weight, whereas those given cortisone lost weight.

There was a very high correlation between the mean food intakes and the mean litter-growth indices for treatment groups in all experiments.
EFFECT OF TRANSECTION OF ONE HORN OF THE GUINEA-PIG'S UTERUS ON FOETAL GROWTH IN THE OTHER HORN
Authors: ECKSTEIN P. , McKEOWN THOMAS
Published: December 2008

Observations are recorded on 65-day guinea-pig foetuses removed from twenty-nine experimental animals in which impregnation was limited to one horn of the uterus by transection of the other horn, and from twenty-nine unoperated control animals. The data are used to show that:

(1) As litter size increases, mean foetal weight and length decrease and total litter weight increases.

(2) Mean foetal weight and length decrease as the number of foetuses in the same horn increases, and as the number of foetuses in the other horn increases.

(3) In litters of less than four, association between rate of foetal growth and litter size is independent of distribution of foetuses between the two horns. In litters of four or more there is evidence of a local effect determined by the contiguity of foetuses within the same horn.

These observations suggest that the influence of litter size on rate of foetal growth is due partly to a local effect, determined by the number of foetuses within the same horn of the uterus, and partly to a general effect, determined by the total number of foetuses in the uterus, and independent of their distribution between the horns.

As the number of foetuses in one horn increases, mean number of foetuses in the other horn decreases. This result appears to be determined by a negative correlation between numbers of ova released from the two ovaries. It cannot be ascribed to differences in the proportion of corpora lutea represented by foetuses on the two sides.
THE INFLUENCE OF MATERNAL AGE, PARITY AND WEIGHT ON LITTER SIZE IN THE GUINEA-PIG
Authors: ECKSTEIN P. , McKEOWN THOMAS
Published: December 2008

In twenty-nine guinea-pigs examined on the 65th day of their first pregnancy, litter size was positively correlated with maternal weight at conception. This association was independent of maternal age; there was no significant correlation between size and age after correction for weight. Similar results were obtained in 113 animals reported by Ibsen 1928]: a substantial positive correlation between litter size and weight (0·43) was independent of both age and parity, but there was only a trivial correlation with age (0·07), and a negative correlation with parity (−0·16) after correction for weight.

Correlations between number of corpora lutea and weight (0·32, after correction for age) and between number of corpora and age (−0·17, after correction for weight) in twenty-eight of the twenty-nine animals, suggest that the association between litter size and weight is determined mainly by a positive correlation between weight and the number of ova produced.
A MODIFIED ADRENAL ASCORBIC ACID DEPLETION TECHNIQUE FOR THE BIOASSAY OF ACTH
Authors: HODGES J. R.
Published: December 2008

Intravenous injections of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) caused adrenal ascorbic acid depletion in rats in which the mobilization of endogenous ACTH had been prevented by pretreatment with large doses of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA). The fall in adrenal ascorbic acid concentration was dependent upon the dose of ACTH administered. This observation has been developed to give a sensitive method for the bioassay of ACTH in which the need for hypophysectomy is obviated.
VARIATIONS IN PLASMA PROTEIN MASS DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE OF THE CHACMA BABOON (PAPIO URSINUS)
Authors: COHEN S.
Published: December 2008

1. Considerable fluctuations in plasma volume and protein mass occur in rhythm with the baboon's menstrual cycle.

2. During the follicular phase the mass of circulating albumin and globulin falls, while the fibrinogen mass increases. In the spayed female baboon oestrogen therapy leads to a similar reduction of albumin and globulin, but following ablation of the sexual skin this effect is greatly diminished.

3. During the initial 2–3 days of the luteal phase the circulating protein mass increases abruptly; the mass of protein simultaneously lost from the perineal swelling exceeds that which appears in the plasma.

4. Displacements in plasma protein of comparable extent have not previously been described in any animal maintained under physiological conditions. The available evidence indicates that these unusual fluctuations in the baboon are related to perineal hypertrophy and involution; the nature of this relationship is discussed.
UPTAKE OF 131I BY THE THYROID OF THE INFANTILE RAT AFTER PROLONGED IN VITRO CULTIVATION
Authors: PAVLOVIĆ MIROSLAVA R.
Published: December 2008

The thyroid glands of infantile rats cultivated in vitro for up to 2 months retain their capacity to concentrate radioactive iodine selectively. It is established autoradiographically that the 131I taken up by the cultivated gland is localized both in the epithelial cells and colloid of healthy thyroid follicles.
THE RESPONSE OF 5′-NUCLEOTIDASE IN THE BRAIN TO OESTROGEN ADMINISTRATION IN THE GROWING RAT
Authors: NAIDOO D. , REY H.
Published: December 2008

After preliminary experiments to determine the minimum dose and optimum age at which invariable oestrogen-induced nucleotidase activity could be induced, six female rats aged 5 days were injected subcutaneously with 0·25 mg oestradiol monobenzoate for 10 days. Six female litter-mates injected with a similar quantity of normal saline were used as controls.

The brains of these animals were examined histologically for 5′-nucleotidase activity. It was found that the activity of 5′-nucleotidase was increased considerably, the nerve fibres in the brains of the experimental animals being in this respect indistinguishable from the nerve fibres of normal 30-day-old animals, while the control animals showed no change from the normal. Further, nuclei which show poor 5′-nucleotidase activity in the normal 30-day-old rat were strongly active in the brains of 15-day-old experimental animals. In this respect there was no difference between the oestrogen-treated rats and controls of the same age.

The significance of the results is discussed.
THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN PLANT PREPARATIONS ON THE FERTILITY OF LABORATORY MAMMALS
Authors: EAST JUNE
Published: December 2008

Dry powdered seeds of the legume Psoralea corylifolia L. proved to be oestrogenic when included in the normal diet of adult female mice at levels calculated to give an intake of 0·35 g or 0·175 g seed/day. Both spayed and intact females exhibited intense vaginal cornification during treatment, but the effect was reversible.

The fertility of adult females was impaired by consumption of 0·35 g Psoralea seed for 37–77 days, and an abnormal proportion of matings made with treated or normal partners was infertile, resulting in pseudopregnancies. The animals recovered within 1 week of transfer to a normal diet. The fertility of male mice was not impaired by treatment for 46 days.

Consumption of 0·25 g Psoralea seed daily precipitated vaginal opening in immature female mice.

The oestrogenic potency of the plant material was low and psoralen(e) (furo-2:3:7:6-coumarin), known to occur in the kernel of Psoralea corylifolia, was not the active constituent.
THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN PLANT PREPARATIONS ON THE FERTILITY OF LABORATORY MAMMALS
Authors: EAST JUNE
Published: December 2008

Capsella bursa pastoris ('Shepherd's Purse'), dried and ground, was added at rates of 20 and 40% to the stock diet of male and female mice. Diets similarly diluted with grass meal were used for comparison.

At the 40% level, both materials impeded ovulation and produced temporary infertility in males and females. 20% Capsella did not affect female fertility, and previous experiments had shown that an equivalent amount of grass meal was harmless.

Neither substance affected the establishment of vaginal patency in immature female mice or produced signs of oestrogenization in spayed animals.

The infertility produced was probably due to the high degree of dilution of the diet rather than to specific anti-fertility activity, but the latter possibility has not been excluded entirely.
STUDIES ON THE HORMONAL INDUCTION OF MAMMARY GROWTH AND LACTATION IN THE GOAT
Authors: BENSON G. K. , COWIE A. T. , COX C. P. , FLUX D. S. , FOLLEY S. J.
Published: December 2008

1. Treatment of spayed virgin goats with oestrogen ('triggering'), following administration of oestrogen and progesterone for 150 days to cause udder development, had no significant effect on the milk yield or on the structure of their udders.

2. Daily injections of 0·5 mg hexoestrol plus 70 mg progesterone for 150 days with or without the final oestrogen 'triggering' treatment induced udders which were virtually free from histological abnormalities and in which the alveolar tissue was homogeneous and compact. The milk yields were reasonably uniform between goats, and the incidence and degree of asymmetry in milk yield between two halves of the udder were no greater than in normally lactating goats.

3. Treatment for 20 weeks with oestrogen alone at daily doses ranging from 0·025 to 0·25 mg grew glands characterized by histological abnormalities previously found in glands developed with higher doses of oestrogen, namely cystic alveoli, papillomatous outgrowths from the epithelium and immature lobules. There was no graded relationship between dose of oestrogen and milk yield, and asymmetry of yield between the two halves of an udder was marked and widespread, particularly in the goats receiving the lowest dose.

4. Total alveolar surface areas of half-udders removed at the peak of lactation were estimated by three related methods, all of which gave high correlations with the milk yields of these udder halves. With only one of these methods, however, was there an appreciable partial correlation between porosity index (surface area/unit volume) and milk yield.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECTS OF ALDOSTERONE IN MAN
Authors: HETZEL B. S. , McSWINEY R. R. , MILLS I. H. , PRUNTY F. T. G.
Published: December 2008

1. Aldosterone has been administered by various routes to a patient with normal adrenals and to two patients with Addison's disease. The intramuscular route gave the most regular effect on sodium retention. In some instances intravenous infusion was very effective.

2. In one patient with Addison's disease, aldosterone and cortisone had opposing effects. Aldosterone produced sodium retention, potassium loss and water retention to a significant degree, whereas a single dose of cortisone stimulated a loss of all these substances. The urinary K/Na ratio is a valuable index in assessing aldosterone activity.

3. It was possible to choose conditions, namely presumed adrenocortical hyperactivity and hypertonic saline infusion, where the sodium retaining properties of aldosterone were counteracted.

4. Aldosterone in dosages up to 1 mg was without effect on the sensitivity to insulin in two patients with adrenal insufficiency. Further negative effects, namely on blood eosinophil levels, nitrogen excretion, steroid metabolism and blood sugar levels, were observed.
CYCLIC FUNCTION IN OVARIAN GRAFTS
Authors: DEANESLY RUTH
Published: December 2008

Subcutaneous ovarian grafts, which maintained the vaginal cycle in ovariectomized rats for periods up to 12 weeks, were examined histologically to determine whether or not they showed normally ovulating follicles. It was found that ovulation occurred regularly in most autografts, but only in about half the homografts. The homografts included 7- to 10-day ovaries implanted into immature or adult hosts and also similar ovaries frozen and thawed before implantation. Absence of normal ovulation in many homografts, which are often less well vascularized than autografts, may be attributed to an inadequate or unbalanced supply of pituitary gonadotrophins.

Degenerative changes indicated by lymphocyte infiltration, are variable in onset, severity and duration, and their progress seems to be unaffected by gonadotrophic stimulus. Only in five out of forty-six hosts were degenerative changes in the graft associated with cessation of vaginal cornification during the experimental period.
THE HYPOTHALAMIC ELABORATION OF POSTERIOR PITUITARY PRINCIPLES IN MAN, THE RAT AND DOG. HISTOCHEMICAL EVIDENCE DERIVED FROM A PERFORMIC ACID-ALCIAN BLUE REACTION FOR CYSTINE
Authors: ADAMS C. W. M. , SLOPER J. C.
Published: December 2008

1. A histochemical technique has been devised which demonstrates cystine or cysteine in paraffin sections.

2. This depends on the oxidation of these substances with performic acid and the demonstration of the resultant cysteic acid with a basic dye, Alcian blue 8GS, at pH 0·2.

3. The specificity of this reaction depends on excluding acidic substances already present ionized in tissues at this low pH.

4. The performic acid-Alcian blue technique selectively demonstrates material with the exact distribution of Bargmann's chrome-haematoxyphil 'neurosecretory' material in the hypothalamus and in the posterior lobe of the pituitary of man, the rat and dog.

5. This material, by reason of its content of cystine, may represent posterior pituitary hormone; severe dehydration in five rats caused the almost entire loss of this material from the posterior lobe of the pituitary.

6. The performic acid-Alcian blue reaction provides the first histochemical evidence of the hypothalamic elaboration of posterior pituitary hormone in man and rat.
NEUROHUMORAL CONTROL OF THE RELEASE OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE
Authors: MARTINI L. , de POLI A.
Published: December 2008

In normal rats intraperitoneal injection of posterior pituitary hormones produces a significant fall in the number of circulating eosinophils and in adrenal ascorbic acid. These effects do not occur in hypophysectomized animals. In hypophysectomized rats bearing hypophysial transplants in the anterior chamber of the eye, both intraperitoneal injection of posterior pituitary hormones and their local application to the eye containing the pituitary graft, also significantly reduce the number of eosinophils and the amount of ascorbic acid in the adrenals.

These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the posterior pituitary hormones act as humoral transmitting agents which, released by the hypothalamus into the hypophysial portal system, can activate the anterior pituitary to discharge ACTH.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE SULPHURIC ACID COLOUR REACTION FOR THE ESTIMATION OF PREGNANEDIOL
Authors: KLOPPER A. I.
Published: December 2008

When a solution of pregnanediol in concentrated sulphuric acid is heated at 25° C for 17 hr, the spectrum of the colour complex formed is different from the spectrum of pregnanediol diacetate similarly treated. The intensity of colour of such solutions increases rapidly for 8 hr. Thereafter the rate of increase slows down; maximum colour development is reached in 17–20 hr. At temperatures above 25° C the characteristic light absorption pattern of the steroid-acid solution becomes progressively obliterated. The intensity of colour is decreased by hydrogen peroxide and by barium nitrate; it is increased by sodium sulphite and hydroquinone. The same weight of pregnanediol may give different spectrophotometric readings if different stock samples of sulphuric acid are used. These differences may be greatly reduced by pretreating the sulphuric acid with sodium sulphite.
HORMONAL EFFECTS ON LIVER AND KIDNEY CYTOPLASM
Authors: REID E.
Published: December 2008

1. Differential centrifugation, in 0·25 m sucrose solution, has been performed with rat liver and kidney tissue to ascertain whether the yield and composition of the cytoplasmic fractions (mitochondrial, microsome and supernatant fractions) depend on the hormonal status of the animal.

2. After hypophysectomy the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of the mitochondrial fraction from liver underwent a decrease (in terms of body weight) which was sufficient to account for the fall in the RNA of the liver as a whole. There was also a decrease in the yield of the mitochondrial fraction. Administration of pituitary growth hormone (GH) to hypophysectomized rats not only restored to normal the amount of RNA in the mitochondrial fraction and the yield of that fraction, but also led to an apparent shift of RNA from the microsome fraction to the supernatant fraction. A further change observed after hypophysectomy, whether or not GH had been given, was a rise in the yield of the microsome fraction. Hypophysectomized rats given thyrotrophin (TSH) did not show significant cytoplasmic changes as found with untreated hypophysectomized rats, but it was not possible to conclude that TSH had actually reversed the effects of hypophysectomy.

3. Castrated rats showed no abnormalities in the yields of the liver cytoplasmic fractions or in the concentration of RNA in the fractions. Alloxan-diabetic rats showed a rise in the yield of the supernatant fraction from liver.

4. Untreated adrenalectomized rats showed a rise in liver deoxyribonucleic acid, a fall in the yield of the liver mitochondrial fraction, but not in the amount of RNA in that fraction, and a rise in the amount of RNA in the supernatant fraction. Replacement therapy with various adrenocorticoids was attempted, with only partial success.

5. In contrast with the RNA content, the phospholipid content of the liver cytoplasmic fractions was not, in general, dependent on hormonal status.

6. Determinations of the yield and composition (RNA and phospholipid) of the cytoplasmic fractions from kidney disclosed certain hormonal effects, differing from those observed with liver; for example, the kidneys from hypophysectomized rats furnished microsome fractions in lowered yield but with an increased concentration of RNA.
VARIATIONS IN UPTAKE AND EXCRETION OF RADIOIODINE IN THE RAT FOLLOWING DIFFERENT MODES OF ADMINISTRATION
Authors: CHAKRABORTY K. P.
Published: December 2008

The variations in uptake and excretion of radio-iodine following: (a) intraperitoneal, (b) intravenous, (c) intramuscular, (d) subcutaneous injection as well as oral administration with (e) empty stomach, and (f) full stomach, have been investigated.

There is a significant difference in the uptake of radio-iodine (131I) only during the first few hours after administration. The maximum uptake of 131I occurs within 24 hr, and is independent of the mode of administration. There is no significant difference in the uptake of 131I after 24 hr. The excretion of 131I in the urine also showed no significant difference during the period of observation (1–8 days).
EFFECT OF CONTINUOUS OESTROGEN ADMINISTRATION ON OESTRUS, OVULATION AND FERTILIZATION IN RATS AND MICE
Authors: AUSTIN C. R. , BRUCE HILDA M.
Published: December 2008

Stilboestrol was administered in the drinking water at several different concentrations to groups of normal adult rats and mice.

Continuous vaginal cornification was obtained with the higher dose levels and both species showed a capacity for repeated coitus at intervals corresponding approximately to those separating oestrous periods in untreated animals. The response was much more uniform in the mice.

Inhibition of ovulation required dose levels well above those that clearly influenced the nature of the vaginal smear. The great majority of ovulated eggs were found to undergo spermatozoon penetration, and supplementary spermatozoa were commonly seen. Results suggest that the frequency of spermatozoon penetration was increased by moderate oestrogen dosage. Fertilization appeared to be quite normal.
MODIFICATION OF THE OESTROUS CYCLE OF THE MOUSE BY EXTERNAL STIMULI ASSOCIATED WITH THE MALE
Authors: WHITTEN W. K.
Published: December 2008

1. Mating of mice does not occur with equal frequency during the first 4 nights after pairing. Fewer than the expected number mate on the 1st, 2nd and 4th nights, but mating on the 3rd night greatly exceeds expectation.

2. This effect is not dependent on age or parity, and is little altered by pairing the mice at 11 p.m. when oestrous behaviour is fully established.

3. Mating occurs more frequently on the 1st night after pairing if the male has been enclosed in a small basket within the female's cage for 2 days previously. Also, the incidence of mating is altered by placing the females in a cage recently contaminated by males.

4. The oestrous cycle of the mouse is apparently modified by the presence of a male or his excreta, and an exteroceptive stimulus functioning through one of the chemical senses is probably involved.
COLOUR CORRECTION IN DETERMINATION OF 17-KETOSTEROIDS BY THE CALLOWZIMMERMANN REACTION
Authors: ROBINSON ALICE M. , CROWLEY J. M. , JONES D. G.
Published: December 2008

The problems of colour correction in the assay of urinary 17-ketosteroids by the Callow-Zimmermann method are critically considered. Details are given of a novel method of deriving correction formulae for two pairs of light filters commonly employed in routine 17-ketosteroid assay. The use of these formulae is illustrated by their application to assays of normal and of pathological urines.
THE FATE OF HYDROCORTISONE-4-14C IN THE TISSUES OF THE MOUSE
Authors: COPE C. L. , SEWELL C. ELIZABETH
Published: December 2008

When hydrocortisone-4-14C is injected intravenously into mice, the whole of the 14C remains in a form which can be recovered from the carcase by extraction with 70% aqueous methanol.

The fraction of recovered 14C which remains soluble in chloroform declines rapidly at first and more slowly thereafter, so that at 1 hr less than 15% is still chloroform soluble.

Glucuronidase increases the chloroform soluble fraction slightly, and a further small amount is made chloroform soluble by acid hydrolysis. The latter fraction seems to increase with time.

The rate of destruction of true hydrocortisone has been measured. There is a rapid decomposition during the first 5 min followed by a slower rate of disappearance during the next hour. The latter corresponds to a rate of metabolism of about 7·8 μg daily. Such a rate is comparable, per gram of tissue, to that believed to occur in man.

The injected 14C is at first excreted mainly into the gut, but later mainly into the urine.

No indication of an altered rate of metabolism of hydrocortisone-4-14C in adrenalectomized mice was obtained.
THE EFFECT OF REGENERATION OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX ON THE WATER CONTENT OF THE UTERUS FOLLOWING OESTROGENIC STIMULATION
Authors: BROGI M. P.
Published: December 2008

The ability of regenerating cortical tissue, under the stimulus of sham adrenalectomy, to prevent the increase in the water content of the uterus caused by oestrogen has been followed at various intervals after adrenal enucleation.

A normal adrenal response was still absent 35 days after the operation but was re-established after 48 days. The significance of these findings is discussed.
THE ASSAY OF INSULIN IN VITRO BY MEANS OF THE GLUCOSE UPTAKE OF THE ISOLATED RAT DIAPHRAGM
Authors: RANDLE P. J.
Published: December 2008

An in vitro method of insulin assay based upon the glucose uptake of the isolated rat diaphragm is described and a statistical appraisal of the method given.

The minimum concentration of insulin which was detected by this method was of the order of 10−4 i.u. of insulin/ml. The index of precision (λ) varied in eighteen studies of regression from 0·18 to 0·74. The slope of the log dose-response curve was found to vary significantly from experiment to experiment.

The results are briefly compared with those obtained with other in vitro methods of insulin assay.
THE INTERACTION OF OESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE ON THE VAGINAL CYCLE OF THE EWE
Authors: ROBINSON T. J. , MOORE N. W.
Published: December 2008

The vaginal smear pattern of the intact ewe experiencing normal oestrous cycles was compared with that of the spayed untreated ewe, and with the spayed ewe injected with a physiological dose-level of oestradiol benzoate (ODB) administered either alone or alternating with progesterone (Prog.) injected in a time-dose relationship closely approximating that of the intact animal.

Normal vaginal cornification appeared to be a result of oestrogen stimulation. The normal manifestation of leucocytic invasion and changes in the viscosity of mucus appeared to be dependent on an interaction between oestrogen and progesterone.

Some vaginal cornification was apparent on the day of oestrus, or 48 hr after the injection of ODB, but maximum cornification occurred 2 days later. For a maximum response, as measured by the number of ewes which yielded one or more cornified smears, it was necessary to take smears daily for 4 days commencing on the day of oestrus.

By relating the smear pattern of the ODB-injected spayed ewe to that of the normal intact ewe a standard method of appraisal of vaginal smears has been evolved. This is considered suitable for quantitative assay work. A positive vaginal smear is one which is virtually free of leucocytes but contains appreciable numbers of cornified cells either alone or in association with squamous and/or nucleated epithelial cells. The various types of typical cornified smears are illustrated.
THE RELATION BETWEEN THE CONCENTRATION OF BLOOD SUGAR AND LIVER GLYCOGEN IN FASTED RATS
Authors: HERBERT PHILIPPA H. , MOLE R. H.
Published: December 2008

1. In fasted adrenalectomized female rats a rise in blood sugar may be a more sensitive index of cortisone activity than a rise in liver glycogen.

2. There was a threshold level of blood sugar below which the liver was almost empty of glycogen. Above this threshold the concentration of liver glycogen rose almost logarithmically with a rise in blood sugar.

3. The shape of this blood sugar—liver glycogen relationship is discussed in relation to the bio-assay of corticosteroids and their effect on carbohydrate metabolism.

4. The concentration of glucose in the red cell of the rat is much less than that in the plasma.
A SERTOLI CELL TUMOUR CAUSING FEMINIZATION IN A BROWN LEGHORN CAPON
Authors: SILLER W. G.
Published: December 2008

The appearance of a spontaneous Sertoli cell tumour in a Brown Leghorn capon has been described.

The plumage pattern abnormalities of this bird were shown to be due to a prolonged secretion of oestrogen and may be interpreted as evidence of feminization. This is further proof that Sertoli cells secrete oestrogen.
THE MECHANISM OF THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ADRENALINE UPON THE DIABETOGENIC ACTION OF ALLOXAN IN THE DOG
Authors: ARTETA J. L. , CARBALLIDO A.
Published: December 2008

The i.v. injection of 50 μg/kg body weight of adrenaline hydrochloride prior to the injection of diabetogenic doses of alloxan has a protective effect in the dog.

This protection has a duration exceeding that of the vasoconstrictor action of adrenaline.

It is concluded that the protective effect may depend initially on alterations in the circulation of the pancreas brought about by adrenaline and may afterwards be maintained by the postadrenaline hyperglycaemia.

The administration of 2 i.u./kg body weight of insulin by i.m. injection 2 hr before the injection of adrenaline diminishes or abolishes the protection phenomenon.

This interference of insulin with the protective effect of adrenaline depends upon the hypoglycaemia which sensitizes the β-cells of the pancreas to alloxan.

The i.v. injection of 2 i.u./kg body weight of insulin 5 min before the injection of adrenaline does not prevent its protective effect.
EXPERIMENTAL EXAMINATION OF AN ASSAY FOR URINARY FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE
Authors: BROWN P. S.
Published: December 2008

1. An assay method for urinary FSH depending on an increase of ovarian weight in mice treated with HCG has been examined experimentally.

2. Synergism was not observed when mixtures were assayed by this method. However, when 'total gonadotrophic activity' was estimated by the weight increase of the mouse uterus there appeared to be some evidence of synergism.

3. The administration of prolactin in total dosages up to 10 i.u./mouse did not interfere with the assay.

4. The addition of oestrogens sometimes affected the assay results and frequently caused a departure from parallelism.
THE SENSITIVITY OF BUFO BUFO TO CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND AFTER PERIODS OF ENFORCED HIBERNATION
Authors: ALLISON RHODA M.
Published: December 2008

The sensitivity of Bufo bufo to chorionic gonadotrophin (C.G.) throughout the year, before and after 4–6 months of enforced hibernation in a refrigerator, is recorded.

The sensitivity of newly captured animals was found to show a small seasonal variation, and was highest in those caught in the spring, the normal breeding season. Among animals subjected to between 4 and 6 months' enforced hibernation sensitivity was increased in those captured in the spring and summer. No significant change was detected in the sensitivity of animals caught in autumn.

It is suggested that short periods of enforced hibernation of 1 to 2 months may significantly increase the sensitivity of B. bufo to C.G.

This appears to be true of animals caught in the spring, and further work will have to show whether it also applies to animals caught at other times of the year.
THE EFFECT OF PREGNANCY ON THE HUMAN ADRENAL CORTEX
Authors: WHITELEY H. J. , STONER H. B.
Published: December 2008

The adrenal glands from twenty-four cases of sudden death during pregnancy and immediately post partum have been examined. The mean combined adrenal weight in the pregnancy cases was slightly greater than in controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was, however, a significant increase in the width of the z. fasciculata in the pregnancy cases due toan increase in the width of the inner part of this zone. This change occurred early in pregnancy, and there was no progressive increase in width with the duration of the pregnancy. Histochemical tests showed that the only difference from the controls was in the inner part of the z. fasciculata where there was reduction in the amount of sudanophilia. The appearance of the cortex in pregnancy was quite unlike that found in glands stimulated by systemic disease or corticotrophin. These findings are discussed in relation to the chemical evidence of increased urinary steroid excretion in pregnancy.
THE METABOLISM OF PROGESTERONE IN THE RAT
Authors: ATHERDEN L. M. , GRANT J. K.
Published: December 2008

1. Progesterone has been administered intraperitoneally to adult male rats. Examination of absorption spectra of material dissolved in sulphuric acid and the application of a sensitive quantitative method of measurement failed to show the presence of 5β-pregnane-3α:20α-diol in the pooled urine.

2. A modification of the pregnanediol method failed to reveal the presence of 5α-pregnane-3α:20α-diol.
β-GLUCURONIDASE ACTIVITY AFTER THYRO-PARATHYROIDECTOMY IN RATS
Authors: BROGI M. P. , VILLANI G.
Published: December 2008

β-Glucuronidase activity was followed in the liver, spleen, thymus, adrenals, kidneys and submaxillary glands of the rat during the atrophy of these organs caused by thyro-parathyroidectomy. The atrophy is not related, except in the case of the liver, to deficient food intake.

β-Glucuronidase activity per unit weight of tissue was found to be increased in almost all the organs examined in correlation with the period of fastest loss in weight: when the rate of weight loss decreased or was reduced to nil, the enzyme levels showed a tendency to return to normal values.

The significance of these data is discussed.
A SENSITIVE METHOD FOR THE ASSAY OF ANDROGENS BASED ON THEIR POWER TO ALTER THE REACTIONS OF THE MOUSE KIDNEY TO CHLOROFORM
Authors: HEWITT H. B.
Published: December 2008

Susceptibility to necrosis of the renal tubules after the inhalation of small concentrations of chloroform vapour was induced in castrated mice by a total dose of 10μg of testosterone propionate. With increasing doses of androgen greater amounts of damage to the renal tubules resulted from the same exposures to chloroform. A simple method for the measurement of the degree of damage in the kidney enabled a dose-response curve to be constructed. These findings appear to provide the basis of a sensitive method for the detection and assay of androgens.
A METHOD FOR SCREENING COMPOUNDS FOR ADRENOCORTICAL ACTIVITY USING THE RESISTANCE OF MICE TO THE EFFECT OF COLD
Authors: D'ARCY P. F.
Published: December 2008

1. Adrenalectomy in the mouse causes a decrease in its resistance to the effects of cold; this resistance can be completely restored by the administration of cortisone acetate and other 11-oxygenated corticosteroids. A linear relationship exists between the survival time of adrenalectomized mice exposed to cold and the logarithm of the dose of cortisone acetate or other corticosteroids injected.

2. The assay depending upon the resistance of mice to cold is simple and easier to perform than assays using either the response of the eosinophils or of liver glycogen in mice. The sensitivity of the method is less than that of the latter assays. Its precision is less than that of the glycogen assay, but is of the same order as that of the eosinophil assay. Compared with the similar assay using rats it is cheaper to perform, requires less time and has a similar order of precision and sensitivity.

3. The assay depending upon the resistance of mice to cold provides a simple and rapid means of screening compounds for adrenocortical activity.
THE DESTRUCTIVE EFFECT OF CADMIUM ION ON TESTICULAR TISSUE AND ITS PREVENTION BY ZINC
Authors: PAŘÍZEK J.
Published: December 2008

The subcutaneous administration of cadmium salts (cadmium chloride or lactate) to male rats and mice leads to acute destruction of the testes, with destruction of the seminiferous epithelium and interstitial tissue. These changes in turn evoke castration phenomena, but the atrophied accessory sex organs retain the ability to react to testosterone propionate.

Within 20 days after the injection of cadmium, proliferation of fibroblasts in the interstitial spaces under the albuginea begins and is accompanied by an extensive formation of new blood vessels. Later, new Leydig cells appear; this is followed by a gradual return of the endocrine function of the testes. The spermatogenic epithelium of the seminiferous tubules, on the other hand, does not regenerate even 133 days after the injection of cadmium.

The simultaneous administration of a large dose of zinc salts protects the testes completely against cadmium damage. The mechanism of interaction between these physico-chemically related metals and the theoretical and practical significance of these observations will be studied further.