bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BONE STRUCTURE AND METABOLISM IN CALCIUM-DEFICIENT RATS
Authors: HARRISON M. , FRASER RUSSELL
Published: December 2008

Pure calcium deficiency produces osteoporosis, or bone atrophy, in rats, while vitamin D deficiency as well as calcium deficiency leads to osteomalacia, or thin bones with wide osteoid seams. The retention of a dose of strontium in the osteoporotic rats is greater than normal, and this indicates rapid bone formation. The immediate cause of the bone thinning must therefore be an increase in the rate of bone resorption, contrary to the classical concepts of osteoporosis.
THE EFFECT OF LIGHT ON DIURNAL LEUCOCYTE VARIATIONS
Authors: SHARP G. W. G.
Published: December 2008

1. An investigation of the effect of light on diurnal leucocyte variations has been carried out on six healthy male subjects living under strictly controlled conditions.

2. The light reception usually associated with waking was delayed by keeping the subjects in darkness for 3 hr while the normal activity routine was maintained. The normal morning endogenous eosinopenia and lymphopenia were both much reduced and a marked but temporary neutropenia occurred. The most significant effect was the reduction of morning eosinopenia.

3. After emergence into light a further and prolonged decrease in both eosinophils and lymphocytes occurred. The daily minima were delayed by the 3 hr spent in darkness.

4. It is assumed that light controls, in part, the initial morning changes in leucocyte numbers.

5. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the mechanisms involved.
THE EFFECT OF LIGHT ON THE MORNING INCREASE IN URINE FLOW
Authors: SHARP G. W. G.
Published: December 2008

An investigation of the effect of light on the diurnal rhythms of urine and electrolyte excretion has been carried out on six healthy male subjects living under strictly controlled conditions.

The light reception usually associated with waking was delayed by keeping the subject in darkness for 3 hr while the normal activity routine was maintained. The normal morning increase in urine and electrolyte excretion was much lessened by the absence of light and its effects were apparent for the rest of the day.

Light plays a large part in the causation and timing of the diurnal rhythms of urine and electrolyte excretion.
THE EFFECT OF RESERPINE ON GOITRE INDUCED BY THIOURACIL
Authors: KARAM J. , HARRISON M. , FRASER RUSSELL
Published: December 2008

The ability of reserpine to suppress thiouracil-induced goitre in rats was studied. Reserpine given intramuscularly in doses of 5 and 10 μg/100 g body weight was completely ineffective in preventing goitre. This finding does not support the theory that reserpine inhibits formation or release of thyrotrophic hormone.
THE EFFECT OF RELAXIN ON THYROID WEIGHTS IN LABORATORY ANIMALS
Authors: PLUNKETT E. R. , SQUIRES B. P. , RICHARDSON S. J.
Published: December 2008

The effect of relaxin on the thyroid weights of intact, oophorectomized and hypophysectomized female Sprague-Dawley rats, intact and castrated male rats, and male and female guinea-pigs has been described.

Relaxin caused significant increases in thyroid weights in the presence of oestrogen or the ovaries and an intact pituitary. This effect of relaxin on the thyroid was not found to be significant in the presence of the testes or testosterone.

Evidence is presented that the response observed in the thyroid was due to relaxin and not to a contaminant of the relaxin extract.

A theory of action is described.
THE PRESENCE OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE IN THE PITUITARY OF THE ARCTIC COD, GADUS MORHUA L.
Authors: WOODHEAD A. D.
Published: December 2008

The presence of an adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) has been demonstrated in the pituitary of the Arctic cod, Gadus morhua L. using standard assays with rats. Positive results were obtained in assays by the Sayers method of measuring the depletion of adrenal ascorbic acid in hypophysectomized rats, and by that of maintenance of adrenal weight, also in hypophysectomized rats. Adrenocorticotrophic activity was present in samples from both immature and mature cod. A tentative calculation suggested that the adrenocorticotrophic potency of one sample of cod pituitary was approx. 3·5 mu. ACTH/mg.
THE EFFECTS OF GROWTH HORMONE AND KETONE BODIES ON CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN DIAPHRAGM FROM NORMAL AND HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: OTTAWAY J. H.
Published: December 2008

The disposition of carbohydrate in isolated diaphragm from normal and hypophysectomized rats has been studied, after addition of acetate, acetoacetate or β-hydroxybutyrate ± ox growth hormone (GH) to the incubation medium in which glucose was always present.

1. In normal diaphragm acetoacetate alone depressed glucose uptake by about 20%, without inhibiting glycogen synthesis. There was a considerable inhibition of pyruvate formation. This effect was not seen in diaphragm from hypophysectomized rats.

2. Acetate alone inhibited glycogen synthesis in diaphragm from normal, but not hypophysectomized, rats.

3. β-Hydroxybutyrate alone inhibited pyruvate formation in diaphragm from hypophysectomized, but not normal, rats.

4. With normal diaphragm the addition of GH to the medium (1 μg/ml.) produced only slight changes in carbohydrate metabolism, although there was a significant stimulation of glucose uptake when acetate was present. With diaphragm from hypophysectomized animals GH at this concentration caused a striking increase in glucose uptake, accompanied by increased glycogen synthesis (insulin-like effect). In the absence of substrate other than glucose GH increased lactate output; in the presence of acetate, GH inhibited lactate formation.

5. Hypophysectomy did not affect the rate of uptake of acetoacetate, but the uptake of acetate was markedly increased.

6. In confirmation of previous work GH did not affect the uptake of acetoacetate by diaphragm from either normal or hypophysectomized rats.
EFFECTS OF CERTAIN STEROIDS AND OTHER COMPOUNDS ON SODIUM EFFLUX FROM ERYTHROCYTES
Authors: KUMAR M. ASHWINI , SHETH U. K.
Published: December 2008

The effect of hormones and drugs on net sodium (Na+) efflux from human erythrocytes was studied. On cooling, the red cells gain Na+ from the extra-cellular fluid, the excess Na+ being driven out again on incubation at 37° C. This net loss of Na+ from red cells was inhibited by digoxin and much larger concentrations of SC 5233, an aldosterone antagonist. The latter drug's effect was markedly enhanced by deoxycorticosterone (DOC), the combination being able to reverse the direction of Na+ flux. However, DOC alone or combined with digoxin had no influence on net Na+ efflux. Other hormones and drugs tested by the same method had no significant action on net Na+ efflux from erythrocytes. Implications of these findings are discussed.
THE EFFECT OF 3:5-DIIODO-d-THYRONINE ON SERUM CHOLESTEROL
Authors: McCLURE J. , de MOWBRAY R. R. , GILLILAND I. C.
Published: December 2008

3:5-Diiodo-d-thyronine (DT2) was administered for periods of up to 9 months to twenty patients with hypercholesterolaemia, ten of whom suffered from coronary disease and three from cerebral vascular disease.

Serum cholesterol levels were significantly depressed in most cases, the mean depression being of the order of 20–25%. Optimum depression was achieved with a dose of 300 mg. daily, there being a tendency to 'escape' on 200 mg./day or less.

Patients with angina tended to have increased pain during treatment, some of them while receiving the initial dose of 150 mg. daily, others only when the dose was raised to 200 or 250 mg. daily. One patient originally chosen for the trial developed cardiac infarction before treatment was started. Two other patients with angina developed cardiac infarction after 4 weeks and 5 months, respectively, on doses of 150 mg. daily.

DT2 has considerable calorigenic action in man as shown by the biochemical and clinical response of four myxoedematous patients, and in anginal cases maximal depression of serum cholesterol levels cannot be achieved without increasing pain.

DT2 might be of value in the prophylaxis of atherosclerosis in cases of symptomless hypercholesterolaemia.
COMPARISON OF THE EFFECT OF OVARIECTOMY AND ADRENALECTOMY ON THE THYMUS IN YOUNG FEMALE RATS, AND A STUDY OF THE PART PLAYED BY THE THYMUS IN BODY GROWTH
Authors: SARMA T. JANARDANA , SIRSI M.
Published: December 2008

1. The hypertrophy of the thymus resulting from ovariectomy is shown to be true active tissue growth, as such tissue contains the same percentage of water, deoxyribose-nucleic acid, protein and ascorbic acid as the normal thymus.

2. The hypertrophy of the thymus as a result of adrenalectomy is not considered to be a true tissue growth, as it is significantly low in total solids and ascorbic acid level. It is suggested that this response may be due to an unequal stimulation, by adrenalectomy, of the thymic components, the cortex and the medulla. It is thus shown that the adrenals and ovaries differ with regard to their relation to the thymus gland.

3. The acceleration in body growth, after removal of the ovaries in young rats, is shown to be a true overall increase in body growth, as ovariectomy induces a significant increase in serum inorganic phosphate.

4. Ovariectomy of previously thymectomized animals has shown that the thymus is not involved in the accelerated body growth resulting from ovariectomy alone.
THE ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PRENATALLY ADMINISTERED SOMATOTROPHIN ON CEREBRAL DEVELOPMENT IN RATS
Authors: CLENDINNEN B. G. , EAYRS J. T.
Published: December 2008

1. Purified anterior pituitary growth hormone has been given to pregnant rats and a study made of the cerebral development of the young in terms of behaviour, electrical activity of the brain and the quantitative histology of the cerebral cortex.

2. The experimental treatment resulted in an increase in the size of the young at birth. The maturation of innate and reflex behavioural responses was little affected but the performance of cortically mediated behaviour was enhanced. Little significant change was observed in the electroencephalogram other than an abnormal response to photic stimulation.

3. These physiological effects were associated with a modified pattern of cortical maturation consistent with a hypertrophy of neurones. This was reflected in an enlargement of the perikarya and an expansion of protoplasmic processes resulting in an increase in the statistical probability of interaction between neurones.

4. The results are discussed in relation to the earlier and somewhat dissimilar findings reported by Zamenhof (1942), and are regarded as consistent with previously formulated hypotheses linking the structure of the cerebral cortex with its mode of functioning.
THE EFFECT OF MIROESTROL ON VAGINAL CORNIFICATION, PITUITARY FUNCTION AND PREGNANCY IN THE RAT
Authors: JONES H. E. H. , WAYNFORTH H. B. , POPE G. S.
Published: December 2008

1. The effectiveness of miroestrol in causing cornification of the vagina of the ovariectomized rat, inhibiting pituitary activity of the adult male rat and preventing pregnancy in the mated female rat has been compared with that of hexoestrol and stilboestrol when each oestrogen is administered either subcutaneously or orally.

2. Inhibition of pituitary function and prevention of pregnancy by these substances are directly related to their activity in producing cornification of the vaginal epithelium. Only large doses of oestrogen produce the first two responses fully.

3. When administered subcutaneously miroestrol has about 0·3 of the potency of stilboestrol and 0·25 of that of hexoestrol in each response studied. By oral administration it is 0·8 as potent as stilboestrol and more potent than hexoestrol. Since the potency of miroestrol compared with a given oestrogen administered in the same way is of the same order in each response, it is concluded that these substances are only capable of inhibiting the function of the pituitary and of preventing pregnancy because of their oestrogenic activity.
REFLEX RELEASE OF AN OXYTOCIC HORMONE BY STIMULATION OF GENITAL ORGANS IN MALE AND FEMALE SHEEP STUDIED BY A CROSS-CIRCULATION TECHNIQUE
Authors: DEBACKERE M. , PEETERS G. , TUYTTENS N.
Published: December 2008

Cross-circulation experiments were carried out using either two lactating ewes (six experiments) or one sexually mature ram and one lactating ewe (seven experiments). Under local anaesthesia an anastomosis was established by means of two plastic tubes between a jugular vein of one animal (A) and a jugular vein of the second animal (B) in each pair. The other jugular veins were clamped.

Vaginal distension performed in ewe A by means of an inflated balloon often caused a sharp rise of pressure in the udder cisterns of ewe B after a minimum latency of 30 sec. Many pressure curves could be obtained successively in the same preparation by repeating the vaginal distension stimulus.

Massage of the seminal vesicles and ampullae of the ram often caused a sharp pressure rise in the udder of the ewe after a minimum lag period of 30 sec. This effect could be obtained several times with the same preparation, but considerable individual variation was observed between the different rams used. Massage of the seminal vesicles and ampullae induced emission in many cases but not always. Intravenous injection of a synthetic oxytocin, Syntocinon (500–1000 mu.), in the ram or distension of the vagina in the ewe failed to elicit emission.

Pressure responses were induced by injection of suitable doses of Syntocinon into the plastic tube leading to the ewe in which the cistern pressure was recorded, after a latency of approx. 30 sec. It may be concluded that vaginal distension in the ewe causes the discharge of a hormone from the head. A similar phenomenon occurs in the ram after massage of the seminal vesicles and ampullae. These effects are not abolished by atropine. It is postulated that this hormone is oxytocin in both sexes. The amount of hormone released after one stimulus was usually equivalent to 40–100 mu. oxytocin in the ram and 20–50 mu. oxytocin in the ewe.
THE EFFECT OF AGE, PREGNANCY AND LACTATION ON THE THYMUS GLAND AND LYMPH NODES OF THE MOUSE
Authors: PEPPER FLORENCE J.
Published: December 2008

The behaviour of the superficial lymph nodes differs from that of the thymus gland during the various phases of life of the mouse. In male and female Strong A mice the thymus gland regresses with age, but the superficial lymph nodes do not. During pregnancy the thymus undergoes an accelerated temporary regression, but regenerates soon after the end of the lactation period (earlier in non-lactating post-partum females). The superficial lymph nodes show a lesser temporary regression which, however, does not become evident until after parturition. Their regeneration occurs after the lactation period, and after a corresponding period in non-lactating post-partum females. The difference in behaviour of the thymus and of the superficial lymph nodes is probably an indication of the greater sensitivity of the thymus to the increased output of adrenocortical hormones which occurs during pregnancy. Repeated injections of cortisone acetate into the intact animal induce a response in the thymus gland and superficial lymph nodes similar to that evoked by pregnancy.
TRANSPLANTATION OF THYMIC TISSUE IN INBRED STRAINS OF MICE
Authors: PEPPER FLORENCE J.
Published: December 2008

Thymic tissue has been transplanted between donor and host mice of different ages. It has been found that thymic tissue more than a few days old loses weight rapidly when transplanted to a host, and that beyond this age loss of weight is independent of the age of either donor or host. For the first few days after birth the thymus gland is capable of growth when transplanted to a host and, unlike the host's own thymus, it is unaffected by the increased output of adrenocortical hormones which occurs during pregnancy. The behaviour of a thymic graft seems to be independent of the presence or absence of the host's own thymus gland.

The presence of additional thymic tissue in a host appears to have no effect on body growth, weight of adrenal glands, gonads and superficial lymph nodes, or on the weight and histological condition of the thymus of the host.
THE EFFECT OF SECTION OF THE PITUITARY STALK ON THE SUPRAOPTIC AND PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEI OF THE FERRET
Authors: HICKMAN J. A.
Published: December 2008

1. The pituitary stalk was transected in a series of ferrets and the supraoptic and magnocellular paraventricular nuclei studied quantitatively 10, 30 and 70 days after operation.

2. Partial degeneration of both nuclei was present by 10 days, and was more apparent by 30 days.

3. An apparent increase in the number of normal neurones occurred between 30 and 70 days.
HORMONAL CONTROL OF ZINC IN MATURE RAT TESTIS
Authors: GUNN S. A. , GOULD THELMA C. , ANDERSON W. A. D.
Published: December 2008

Eleven days following hypophysectomy the capacity of the rat testis to take up administered 65Zn is markedly depressed below values noted in intact controls, even though microscopically there is only a slight diminution in the number of germinal epithelial and interstitial elements. Interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH) in doses of 5 μg./day administered from the 5th to the 10th day after operation completely prevented the fall in total 65Zn uptake of the testis following removal of the pituitary. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was less effective than ICSH in this regard. The possibility of the FSH effect being due to contamination with ICSH is considered. Growth hormone and prolactin in doses of 200 μg./day administered from the 5th to 10th day after operation were ineffective in preventing the fall in 65Zn uptake of the testis following hypophysectomy.
CO-EXISTENT SECONDARY HYPOTHYROIDISM AND PRIMARY TESTICULAR DEFICIENCY
Authors: WRIGHT N. L.
Published: December 2008

A case report is presented giving details of a patient who showed the unusual combination of secondary hypothyroidism associated with primary testicular disease; the latter was probably prepubertal in origin, and there was evidence of eunuchoidism. Reference is made to previous reports of the co-existence of deficiency in both thyroid and testis, and to possible mechanisms involved in the relationships which may exist between these conditions.
ANDROGENS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS IN THE SPERMATIC VEIN BLOOD OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Authors: LINDNER H. R.
Published: December 2008

Ox and sheep blood is able to reduce androstene-3:17-dione in the presence of oxygen to form 17α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one (epitestosterone), accompanied by lesser amounts of testosterone. The blood of these two ruminant species differs in this respect from that of the pig, the stallion and man, which on aerobic incubation with androstenedione produces small amounts of testosterone, but none of the 17α-epimer.

The neutral steroid 17α-ol dehydrogenase activity in ruminant blood is independent of the sex of the animal, and resides in the cellular fraction of the blood. The action of the enzyme in ox blood was shown to be reversible, but in whole blood the oxidative step proceeds at a very slow rate.

The reported occurrence of epitestosterone in spermatic vein blood of young calves is attributed to the action of the blood on androstenedione released by the testis.
ANDROGENS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS IN THE SPERMATIC VEIN BLOOD OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Authors: LINDNER H. R.
Published: December 2008

Testosterone and androstenedione were identified in the spermatic vein blood of the ram, the boar and the stallion. Neither of the two steroids could be detected in the arterial or peripheral venous blood, indicating that testosterone and androstenedione are secretory products of the testis in the three species studied.

Small amounts of testosterone (14–20 μg./hr.) were secreted by the testes of the young ram and boar already at the age of 3½ months. The testes of the mature boar are capable of releasing testosterone into the blood stream at the rate of 184–716 μg./hr. On the basis of these findings it is suggested that testosterone constitutes the principal testicular androgen in the boar.

This conclusion differs from the view expressed by earlier investigators with respect to the boar, but is consistent with the results obtained in all other mammalian species thus far examined.

Intravenous administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (2–15 i.u./kg.) was followed by a prompt increase in the rate of testicular secretion of androgen in most of the experimental animals; however, this observation requires confirmation, in view of the limited number of experiments carried out.
PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF A HYPOGLYCAEMIC PEPTIDE FROM OX GROWTH HORMONE
Authors: HUGGINS A. K. , OTTAWAY J. H.
Published: December 2008

A peptide has been isolated from crystalline ox growth hormone (GH) which stimulates glucose uptake by isolated rat diaphragm when incubated with it at low concentrations (0·01 μg./ml. medium). The peptide also causes a slight but persistent hypoglycaemia in fasted mice and rabbits. The increase in glucose uptake by diaphragm is not accompanied by increased glycogen synthesis; in certain circumstances it causes a diminution in lactate output. When incubated with normal rat diaphragm in the absence of acetate, very high concentrations (10 μg./ml.) cause an inhibition of glucose uptake.

The peptide appears to have negligible effects on fat metabolism.

The peptide has a mol. wt. of 5,000–10,000, an isoelectric point of about pH 6, and an N-terminal methionine. The amino acid composition is noteworthy for the complete absence of basic amino acids.

It is concluded that ox GH freed from this peptide will stimulate glycogen synthesis by muscle without increasing the uptake of glucose.
THE FAILURE OF THYROXINE TO INFLUENCE THE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF THIAMINE-DEFICIENT MICE
Authors: BHAGAT B. , LOCKETT MARY F.
Published: December 2008

The failure of adrenalectomized mice to respond to thyroxine by an increase in oxygen uptake was not reversed by intramuscular injections of thiamine. Thiamine-deficient mice were found to be incapable of responding to thyroxine by an increase in the metabolic rate.
THE INFLUENCE OF TRIIODOTHYRONINE ON THE RELEASE OF ACETYLCHOLINE BY A PHRENIC NERVE DIAPHRAGM PREPARATION
Authors: PICKENS JOAN , LOCKETT MARY F.
Published: December 2008

A concentration of 0·01 μg. (—)-triiodothyronine in the Tyrode's fluid bathing a phrenic nerve diaphragm preparation has been shown to decrease the acetylcholine appearing in the bath fluid in response to tetanus of the diaphragm through the phrenic nerve at a fixed number of impulses per sec. for a fixed number of minutes, when (a) eserine (40 μg./ml.) was used to inhibit the cholinesterase and the acetylcholine was assayed on leech muscle; and (b) prostigmine (5 × 10-6) was used as the anticholinesterase and the acetylcholine was assayed by its depressor effect on the arterial pressure of rats.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF ANDROST-16-EN-3α-OL FROM ACETATE BY TESTICULAR SLICES
Authors: GOWER D. B. , HASLEWOOD G. A. D.
Published: December 2008

Evidence is produced for the biosynthesis of androst-16-en-3α-ol (androstenol) from 2-14C-acetate and 3H-acetate by surviving rabbit and guinea-pig testicular tissue. Incidental confirmation of the incorporation of acetate into cholesterol and testosterone by the same tissue is also reported.
THE RESPONSE OF RABBIT SPERMATOZOA TO ARTIFICIAL CRYPTORCHIDISM AND LIGATION OF THE EPIDIDYMIS
Authors: GLOVER T. D.
Published: December 2008

By means of unilateral ligation of the epididymis and experimental cryptorchidism in twenty-one adult male rabbits, the reaction of spermatozoa in proximal regions of the epididymis to the effects of retention in the abdomen was investigated. Combined estimates of eosinophilic spermatozoa and decapitated spermatozoa in smears stained with aqueous nigrosin eosin were used to indicate the response in different samples.

Examination of spermatozoa withdrawn from four levels of the tubule showed that those in the caput epididymidis and the initial segment reacted rapidly to the effects of artificial cryptorchidism, whilst the response of spermatozoa from the corpus epididymidis appeared to be delayed.

Contralateral testes and ligated epididymides were maintained in the scrotum to serve as controls, and under these circumstances spermatogenesis continued for at least 3 weeks although, shortly after ligation, the epididymides were tightly packed with spermatozoa and fluid. Examination of the tubular contents in these specimens by means of the nigrosin eosin technique revealed a progressive degeneration of spermatozoa above the site of ligation. However, microscopical observations of motility indicated enhanced activity in samples collected during the first 3 weeks of ligation of the epididymis.
THE EFFECTS OF HISTAMINE ON THE VAGINAL EPITHELIUM OF THE MOUSE
Authors: MARTIN L.
Published: December 2008

Histamine dihydrochloride, administered intravaginally, was similar in action to oestrone, causing increased tetrazolium reduction, epithelial growth and cornification in the vagina. However, massive doses were required, and the ineffectiveness of histamine releasers and of various antihistamines indicated that histamine release is not involved in the response of the vagina to oestrogens. The inhibition of histamine dihydrochloride by dimethylstilboestrol indicates that oestrogenic activity is involved. However, the inactivity of the diphosphate excludes histamine itself as a weak oestrogen and suggests that histamine dihydrochloride contains minute amounts of oestrogenic contaminants.
THE EXTENT OF THE ADRENAL INFLUENCE UPON RENAL ELECTROLYTE EXCRETION IN THE HEALTHY MAN ON A NORMAL DIET, AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE RENAL CHANGES ON STANDING
Authors: MILLS J. N. , THOMAS S. , WILLIAMSON K. S.
Published: December 2008

The magnitude of the influence of endogenous adrenal steroids upon renal excretion of electrolytes has been assessed by observing the changes on administering spironolactone, which blocks, at least in part, the effect of steroids upon the kidney. The findings indicate that endogenous steroids exert a sodium-retaining effect in subjects asleep at night, recumbent or standing in the afternoon, and ambulant and perhaps also recumbent in the morning. Endogenous steroids also promote chloride reabsorption, but the changes are usually smaller. Changes in excretion of potassium and hydrion have been less convincingly demonstrated, but it is believed that sodium reabsorption is by ion exchange for potassium and hydrion, as well as in association with chloride.

If the subject maintains the recumbent posture for 5 hr. from midday, the influence—and probably the production—of endogenous steroids declines steadily, but it is maintained if he stands. The contribution of steroids to the altered renal behaviour on changing posture has been assessed; the low sodium excretion on standing is in part due to a non-adrenal, presumably haemodynamic factor, and in part to aldosterone secretion; and on standing there is a modest but significant fall in potassium excretion due to the non-adrenal factor.
MAMMARY OXYGEN TENSION AND THE MILK-EJECTION MECHANISM
Authors: CROSS B. A. , SILVER I. A.
Published: December 2008

1. Polarographic recording of pO2 from gold-plated needle electrodes inserted into lactating mammary glands of rabbits under light urethane anaesthesia gave resting values of 15–30 mm. Hg. Expelling the milk from distended glands raised the pO2 level.

2. Myoepithelial contraction (milk ejection) induced by i.v. injection of oxytocin lowered pO2 by an amount depending on the rise in intramammary pressure.

3. Surgical shock, spinal anaesthesia or i.v. injection of adrenaline depressed mammary pO2 and reduced the milk-ejection response to i.v. oxytocin.

4. When mammary pO2 was raised by O2 breathing, or lowered by N2 breathing, the milk-ejection response to i.v. oxytocin was not affected.

5. Electrical stimulation of the lateral and posterior hypothalamic areas reduced mammary pO2 and milk ejection in a way similar to i.v. adrenaline. Bilateral electrolytic lesions in these areas produced a sustained depression of mammary pO2.

6. It is concluded that the pO2 of mammary tissues gives a measure of capillary blood flow and that this, rather than the absolute pO2 level, determines the response of the myoepithelium to circulating oxytocin.
THYMUS AND STRESS
Authors: CSABA G. , TÖRŐ I. , HORVÁTH CECILIA , ÁCS TH. , MOLD KATALIN
Published: December 2008

In rats in which arthritis had been induced by injections of formalin, removal of the thymus led to slight aggravation of the disease. Cortisone, which prevented or arrested the arthritis in intact rats, produced serious aggravation of the condition in thymectomized animals. The action of the thymus is not apparently hormonal but depends on the presence of thymic tissue. It seems that this phenomenon is connected with the participation of the thymus in polysaccharide metabolism. The various manifestations and the mechanism of thymic action are discussed, and a theory is put forward to explain the mechanism of action of cortisone.
INDUCTION OF IMPLANTATION IN THE OVARIECTOMIZED PROGESTERONE-TREATED RAT AFTER ADRENALECTOMY
Authors: MEYER R. K. , COCHRANE R. L.
Published: December 2008

The daily administration of 1 mg. cortisone did not induce ovo-implantation in rats ovariectomized or ovariectomized and adrenalectomized on the 3rd day of pregnancy and injected with 4 mg. progesterone each day. Oestrone administered in daily doses of 1 μg./animal, however, did induce nidation in ovariectomized progesterone-treated rats deprived of their adrenal glands.
A STUDY OF THE ROLES OF ADRENOCORTICAL STEROIDS AND GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE IN THE MECHANISM OF THE DIURNAL RHYTHM OF WATER AND ELECTROLYTE EXCRETION
Authors: MARTEL P. J. , SHARP G. W. G. , SLORACH S. A. , VIPOND H. J.
Published: December 2008

1. An investigation of the mechanism of diurnal excretory rhythms has been carried out on four healthy male subjects in whom the excretory rhythms were reversed by a 12 hr. shift of the activity—sleep and light—dark schedules.

2. The diurnal rhythms of water, sodium, potassium, creatinine and ketogenic steroid excretion adapted to the reversal of routine at different rates.

3. It is concluded, from the dissociation of these rhythms during the reversal phase, that the ketogenic steroids are not controlling either the major variation of glomerular filtration rate or the excretory rhythms of water and sodium.

4. The potassium excretory rhythm appears to be linked with the ketogenic steroid rhythm.

5. The mechanism of the diurnal rhythm of urine flow is discussed in relation to these findings.
INDUCTION OF OVULATION IN IMMATURE MICE AS AN ASSAY OF GONADOTROPHIN
Authors: CUNNINGHAM F. J.
Published: December 2008

A bioassay of gonadotrophin depending on the induction of ovulation in immature mice is described.

Dose-response data to various preparations of gonadotrophin are examined.

Results by this method in some instances contrasted more sharply with those of the ovarian augmentation assay for follicle-stimulating hormone than did the results of the assay for total gonadotrophin.

The addition of prolactin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and stilboestrol did not interfere with the assay.
THE BIOLOGICAL ASSAY OF FRACTIONS OF GONADOTROPHIN FROM HUMAN PITUITARY GLANDS
Authors: BUTT W. R. , CROOKE A. C. , CUNNINGHAM F. J. , KOVAČIĆ NADA
Published: December 2008

Four gonadotrophic fractions from human pituitary glands have been assayed in terms of the International Reference Preparation, HMG 24, by four different methods.

These are the assay for total gonadotrophin which depends on the increase in uterine weight of the immature mouse, the augmentation method for follicle-stimulating hormone, the increase in weight of the ventral prostate of the hypophysectomized rat for interstitial cell-stimulating hormone and the ovulation method for the 'ovulating ' factor.

The results have been contrasted and discussed.
PROLONGATION OF DIOESTRUS IN THE MOUSE AS A QUANTITATIVE ASSAY OF LUTEOTROPHIC ACTIVITY OF PROLACTIN
Authors: KOVAČIĆ NADA
Published: December 2008

A method has been developed for the quantitative assay of luteotrophic activity of prolactin using the prolongation of dioestrus in mature virgin mice as the end-point of the effect. The assay is based on the principle of an 'all-or-none' response and criteria for a positive result have been specified. A modified parallel line assay has been used with three doses each of the standard and of the unknown.

Four different preparations of prolactin have been tested using bovine prolactin, Armour Laboratories, Lot no. D14083–2B as the reference preparation.

The assay is not specific, but it may be used for quantitative measurement of the luteotrophic activity of purified preparations of prolactin.
THE IN VITRO EFFECT OF PROLACTIN ON β-GLUCURONIDASE IN THE TESTIS OF THE RAT
Authors: EVANS ANNE J.
Published: December 2008

The effect of prolactin on the activity of β-glucuronidase in the testis of the rat and mouse has been studied in vitro.

Prolactin increased this activity, and a linear log dose-response relationship was found to exist with doses of between 0·3 and 1·2 mg. of a preparation of prolactin containing between 20 and 25 i.u./mg.

The optimal conditions for this effect have been investigated.

Twenty other substances have been tested; none increased the enzymic activity, but six decreased it.

Possible mechanisms for this effect are discussed.
THE INFLUENCE OF OESTRIOL AND PROGESTERONE ON THE ENDOMETRIUM OF THE GUINEA-PIG IN VITRO
Authors: EVERETT JANET
Published: December 2008

The direct influence of oestriol and progesterone, and a combination of these hormones, on endometrium of guinea-pigs has been studied in organ culture.

Progesterone stimulated the size and number of stromal cells, and provoked slight dilation of uterine glands.

The glands were more numerous and widely dilated in the presence of oestriol, and the number and size of stromal cells were even greater than with progesterone alone.

A combination of the two hormones led to the simultaneous appearance of synergism—well-preserved epithelium and glands of a secretory nature, and antagonism—there being fewer stromal cells of a smaller size than with either hormone alone.

The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the effects of the hormones in vivo.

The inhibitory action of progesterone on the appearance of the cystic hyperplasia of the uterine glands provoked by oestriol was noted.
REDUCTION OF 11-OXY AND 11-DEOXY STEROIDS BY MAMMALIAN LIVER Δ4-HYDROGENASES
Authors: BROWN-GRANT K. , FORCHIELLI E. , DORFMAN R. I.
Published: December 2008

1. The steroid Δ4-hydrogenases occurring in liver of both sexes of rats, mice, hamsters, rabbits and guinea-pigs have been investigated in vitro.

2. In both sexes of the species studied, with the exception of the female rat, Δ4-hydrogenase activity was found to be present in both the microsomal and 105,000 g supernatant fractions.

3. The reactivity of these enzyme preparations has been studied with a variety of 11-deoxy, 11β-hydroxy and 11-keto compounds. In general, the enzyme preparations (microsomal and soluble) of guinea-pig, mouse and rabbit liver reduced the 11β-hydroxy compounds to a lesser degree than the 11-deoxy and 11-keto analogues. A similar pattern of reactivity was exhibited by the soluble enzyme preparations of livers from the male rat and hamster. But the microsomal preparations of these two species, in contrast to the other preparations studied, reduced the 11β-hydroxy compounds almost as readily as the 11-keto and 11-deoxy compounds.

4. It is concluded that the differences observed in the relative rates of Δ4 reduction of 11β-hydroxy compounds as compared with 11-keto and 11-deoxy compounds are consistent with some degree of enzyme group specificity.

5. The relationship between the observations in vitro and the urinary steroid excretion pattern is discussed.
THE INSULIN ACTIVITY OF BOVINE AND OVINE BLOOD PLASMA
Authors: CUNNINGHAM N. F.
Published: December 2008

A standardized method for the assay of small amounts of insulin (10–1000 μu./ml.) by measuring the effect on the glucose uptake of rat diaphragm in vitro is described. The most sensitive part of the concentration/response curve is within the range 10–150 μu./ml., and over this range there is a straight-line relationship between insulin concentration and insulin effect.

The importance of having a protein such as gelatin present in dilute solutions of insulin is discussed.
THE EFFECT OF INJECTED OESTROGEN ON PREGNANCY IN THE RABBIT
Authors: SCHOFIELD BRENDA M.
Published: December 2008

Rabbits were injected with oestradiol-17β for 3–6 consecutive days at different times during pregnancy. The course of pregnancy was followed thereafter, or, in acute experiments, the staircase effect and the oxytocin sensitivity were determined on the day following the last injection. Results showed that doses of oestrogen sufficient to interrupt pregnancy through an effect on the endometrial component of the uterus did not directly antagonize the influence of endogenous progesterone on the myometrium. Diminution of the progesterone block indicated by the oxytocin sensitivity of the myometrium is considered to be due to degeneration of the placenta and hence of its ability to maintain the corpus luteum.

The dosage of oestrogen necessary to interrupt pregnancy was higher in late pregnancy. This is in agreement with the finding that oestrogen production increases steadily from mid-pregnancy to term.
REPRODUCTION IN THE MARSUPIAL TRICHOSURUS VULPECULA
Authors: PILTON PHYLLIS E. , SHARMAN G. B.
Published: December 2008

Most, or all, wild females of Trichosurus vulpecula bred during the first 6 months of the year and some bred again during the second half of the year. In captive females the oestrous cycle varied in length from 22 to 58 days but all cycles longer than 32 days began between 20 April and 16 June. During two periods of each year, from early February until 20 April and from 16 June until late September, the cycle varied in length from 22 to 32 days (mean: 25·69±0·31 days). The females were polyoestrous and monovular and the gestation period was about 17·5 days.

Vaginal smears from mated and non-mated females were alike except that spermatozoa were usually found in smears from mated females on the first or second day after copulation. After oestrus, ovulation and corpus luteum formation occurred alike in mated and non-mated females. There were no differences between corpora lutea of pregnant and non-pregnant females. After parturition oestrus was inhibited by the onset of lactation except in one female which produced two successive young separated in age by approximately the length of one oestrous cycle. Females came into oestrus an average of 8·02±0·18 days after removal of suckling young from the pouch.

In pregnant females the gravid uterus was much larger than the non-gravid uterus from 12 days after oestrus until after parturition. The sub-epithelial capillary layer was better developed in the gravid than in the non-gravid uterus during the closing stages of pregnancy. The uterine luteal phase was present 7–8 days after oestrus and began to disappear at about 15 days after oestrus in both pregnant and non-pregnant females. There was no evidence that the luteal phase was longer in pregnant than in non-pregnant females and the occurrence of pregnancy did not extend the normal interval between successive oestrous periods if the young were removed at birth.
THE STIMULATING EFFECTS OF ADRENALINE AND ANTERIOR PITUITARY HORMONES ON THE RELEASE OF FREE FATTY ACIDS FROM ADIPOSE TISSUE
Authors: BUCKLE R. M.
Published: December 2008

The quantity of free fatty acids (FFA) released from rat epididymal fat pads in vitro and their concentration within the tissue were determined. The addition of adrenaline, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and growth hormone (GH) each increased the release of FFA, and their respective minimum effective concentrations were 0·125, 0·004, 0·5 and 1·25 μg./ml. of medium. In every case, the increased release of FFA was associated with a rise in the quantity present within the pads, and the amount released closely paralleled their concentration within the tissue.

It is suggested that the stimulatory effect of all four hormones on the release of FFA from adipose tissue is largely a manifestation of their activity of increasing the concentration of FFA within the cells, and this they do by facilitating the net conversion of storage triglyceride to fatty acid. The significance of the relative activities of the hormones in vitro is discussed and compared with their fatty acid mobilizing effects in vivo.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF ADRENOCORTICAL HORMONES BY ADRENAL GLANDS OF LIZARDS AND SNAKES
Authors: PHILLIPS J. G. , JONES I. CHESTER , BELLAMY D.
Published: December 2008

Adrenal glands of lizards (Lacerta viridis L.) and snakes (Natrix natrix L.) were incubated in media containing tritiated progesterone. Aldosterone, corticosterone and an unknown steroid were produced. Added ACTH did not affect, though added amphenone markedly reduced, the rate of steroid production.
A NEW BIOASSAY TECHNIQUE FOR THE MEASUREMENT IN VITRO OF THYROTROPHIC HORMONE IN SERUM AND IN PITUITARY EXTRACTS
Authors: KIRKHAM K. E.
Published: December 2008

A new technique by which thyrotrophic hormone (TSH) can be rapidly measured in vitro in the serum of euthyroid subjects and in human pituitary extracts is presented.

In euthyroid male subjects levels of TSH in serum ranged from 0 to 30·1 i.u. × 10−3/100ml., the mean value being 10·8. In normal menstruating women the mean value was 4·8 and the range 0 to 21·5 i.u. × 10−3/100 ml.

In human pituitary extracts, TSH could be detected in all fractions tested, but the amount of activity present was greatest in the gonadotrophin fraction. When the latter was separated into the FSH and LH components the TSH activity was found to be mainly associated with the LH fraction.

The specificity of the method has been examined by incubating thyroid tissue with other hormones of pituitary origin and measuring their effect on the response to TSH. It is concluded that any interference with the assay method produced by FSH and LH is due to their contamination with TSH.
THE AUGMENTED INSULIN TOLERANCE TEST FOR DETECTING INSULIN RESISTANCE
Authors: FRASER R. , JOPLIN G. F. , OPIE L. H. , RABINOWITZ D.
Published: December 2008

1. An augmented insulin tolerance test and its normal response is described; after a standard preparation, 11·1 u. of soluble insulin/m.2 of body surface is injected intravenously, and the level of blood sugar followed for 2 hr.

2. The degree of insulin resistance, in such states as acromegaly, can be indexed by the sum of the blood sugar values, as mg./100 ml., at 60, 90 and 120 min. after insulin. In normal subjects the mean 'insulin resistance index' was 92 (range 62–142). The test is valid only if the fasting blood sugar is normal.

3. Results are reported in: (a) twelve 'untreated' acromegalics in all of whom the test showed an abnormal insulin resistance index (mean 173 and range 144–228); (b) fourteen treated acromegalics (after gold-198 or yttrium-90 implants), in eight of whom the insulin resistance index was normal, although only five were judged to be in full clinical remission; (c) twelve subjects with gross but 'simple' obesity in whom the test results were nearly as abnormal as those of the 'untreated' acromegalics (mean insulin resistance index 159 and range 119–221).

4. The test can be used to assess the 'activity' of acromegaly and its response to treatment, provided the subject is not also grossly obese.
THE DETERMINATION OF ADRENOCORTICAL STEROIDS IN BLOOD: OBSERVATIONS ON THE RELIABILITY OF A SIMPLE FLUORIMETRIC METHOD FOR CORTISOL
Authors: BRAUNSBERG HANNELORE , JAMES V. H. T.
Published: December 2008

A simple method for the determination of cortisol in human plasma has been improved and studied in detail. The specificity for cortisol was increased by an additional partition of the extract between benzene and water. This did not obviate the use of a preliminary petrol partition to remove some material interfering with the determination. Quenching or potentiation of fluorescence by impurities is common, and an 'internal standard' technique, consisting of addition of cortisol to parallel plasma samples, was adopted in an attempt to improve the accuracy of the method. Careful cleaning of all glassware is essential for satisfactory accuracy. A preliminary estimate of precision indicates that plasma cortisol concentrations of 2 μg./100 ml. are distinguishable from zero, but satisfactory precision (error ≤ 15%, P = 0·05), at concentrations of 10 μg./100 ml. or greater, still requires samples of 8 ml. of plasma.
THE ANTIDIURETIC PHASE OF WATER METABOLISM IN RATS AFTER LESIONS OF THE PITUITARY STALK
Authors: KOVÁCS K. , LÁSZLÓ F. A. , DÁVID MARGIT A.
Published: December 2008

Experiments are reported to determine whether in the rat decreased content of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system influences the oliguric phase which develops following destruction of the pituitary stalk. It was found that if on the day following destruction of the stalk the animals were neurohypophysectomized, the oliguric phase did not develop. The transitory water retention also did not occur when the stalk was destroyed in rats deprived of water for 8 days before the operation. No oliguric phase developed in totally hypophysectomized rats, or in those which had been neurohypophysectomized.

The evidence obtained seemed to indicate that in the development of transient water retention following destruction of the hypophysial stalk, ADH released from the degenerating hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system has an important role.
PERMEABILITY AND RESPIRATION EFFECTS OF THYROIDAL HORMONES ON THE ISOLATED BLADDER OF THE TOAD BUFO BUFO
Authors: MATTY A. J. , GREEN K.
Published: December 2008

l-Thyroxine and 3,5,3′-triiodo-l-thyronine in concentrations of 10−8 m to 10−5 m were shown to increase the oxygen uptake and water transfer down an osmotic gradient in the isolated urinary bladder of Bufo bufo. The increase in water transport after treatment with thyroxine and triiodothyronine was related linearly to the log dose. The increase in O2 uptake and water movement in equimolar concentrations of thyroxine and triiodothyronine were similar but the responses to the latter were more rapid.

Substitution of sodium ions by choline in the incubation medium resulted in a fall of oxygen uptake by the bladder, and a slight lowering of water loss. When thyroxine was added, oxygen uptake increased to the same extent in both media but only in sodium saline did water loss increase greatly.

Specific enzyme inhibitors prevented the thyroxine-induced increase in water loss across the isolated toad bladder, indicating that metabolic energy is necessary for this alteration in permeability.

Triiodothyronine and thyroxine caused an increased water loss across the isolated toad bladder when placed on either the mucosal or serosal surface.

Two analogues of the thyroid hormones, 3,5,3′-triiodothyroacetic acid and 3,5,3′,5-tetraiodothyroacetic acid, caused an extremely rapid, but transient, movement of water across the bladder; their action and that of triiodothyronine and thyroxine is compared.

An hypothesis is proposed tentatively to account for the mode of action of thyroxine on the permeability of the isolated toad bladder, taking into account the close relationship between increases in water permeability and metabolism, particularly that involving sodium transport.