bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE HETEROGENEITY OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (HGH)
Authors: Rohde W. , Dörner G.
Published: December 2008

The specific antigenic patterns of human growth hormone in various human pituitary extracts were determined by analysis in gel filtration, in starch gel and agar gel immunoelectrophoresis.

The analysis of pituitary extracts by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 indicates that HGH complexes with different molecular weights were present in all tested pituitary extracts. The rate of formation of high molecular HGH was dependent on the extraction procedure used.

Altogether seven immunologically active components of HGH were detected by analysis of crude pituitary extracts in starch gel immunoelectrophoresis. The number and the rate of formed HGH components were dependent on the solvent used for the extraction of pituitary homogenates and on the sequence of extraction procedures. The electrophoretical patterns obtained were reproducible.

The electrophoretical behaviour of HGH of various pituitary extracts in agar gel also suggested the presence of multiple components. Three different positions were observed between the α1- and β1-globulins.

The analysis of pituitary extracts in the two dimensional double diffusion technique in agar gel using an absorbed anti-HGH-serum gave evidence of the antigenic homogeneity of HGH in the different preparations.

It is concluded that the electrophoretic heterogeneity of pituitary growth hormone preparations is already determined by the first step of the extraction.
TARGET GLAND INSUFFICIENCY AND PITUITARY TUMOURS
Authors: Leiba Sara , Landau Baruch , Ber Artur
Published: December 2008

Three patients with pituitary tumours are described. The first is a patient with myxoedema who 28 years ago was treated for thyrotoxicosis with irradiation of the thyroid gland. It is the author's opinion that the long-standing hypothyroidism may have induced a hypersecretion of TSH and secondary hyperplasia of the pituitary gland which resulted in an enlargement of the sella. The second patient presented signs of a pituitary tumour with a compression of the chiasma and hypofunction of the thyroid and gonads. One year previously she had a febrile disease diagnosed as morbili. After she was treated with substitution therapy with thyroid hormones there was an improvement in her condition, with disappearance of the ocular signs of the glandular insufficiency. It is assumed that this patient developed a primary hypothyroidism due to thyroiditis which probably induced a mucopolysaccharide infiltration around the pituitary gland. This infiltration in turn resulted in the rapid enlargement of the sella and signs of compression of the optic chiasma. Thyroid therapy probably caused disappearance of the mucopolysaccharides infiltration with a consequent return of the ocular signs to normal. The sella remained enlarged.

The third patient also presented an enlarged sella. The pituitary gland produced high levels of gonadotrophins, but the levels of GH, ACTH and TSH were normal. The patient had premature ovarian failure. In this case the tumour was discovered when the patient was still menstruating. This tumour seems to be of a dependent type since oestrogen therapy induced inhibition of the high levels of gonadotrophins.

It is suggested that the prolonged subnormal levels of oestrogens stimulated the development of the pituitary tumour.

The relation between the target gland insufficiency and the development of the pituitary tumours is discussed.
CHROMOPHOBE PITUITARY ADENOMA WITH ACROMEGALY AND TSH-INDUCED HYPERTHYROIDISM ASSOCIATED WITH PARATHYROID ADENOMA
Authors: Lamberg B.-A. , Ripatti J. , Gordin A. , Juustila H. , Sivula A. , Björkesten G. af
Published: December 2008

The simultaneous occurrence of acromegaly, hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism is extremely rare and even that of acromegaly and hyperparathyroidism very unusual. Chromophobe adenomata producing either acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome or hyperthyroidism have been described in a limited number of cases.

A unique case of a patient with acromegaly, hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism and a chromophobe pituitary adenoma was studied. In the blood an unusually high level of thyrotrophin (TSH) was found (about 2 mU/ml) but no »long-acting thyroid stimulator« (LATS). The TSH activity remained unaffected by thyroidectomy and by treatment with triiodothyronine but was not found in the blood after surgical hypophysectomy. The pituitary tumour contained TSH only about 20 mU/209 mg weight of tissue, i. e. less than is found in normal human pituitary glands. There was evidence of inadequate secretion of corticotrophin and gonadotrophins. The evidence suggests that both the acromegaly and the hyperthyroidism were caused by increased production of growth hormone (STH) and TSH by the pituitary tumour. The hyperparathyroidism was due to a parathyroid adenoma.

In four other acromegalic but euthyroid patients no TSH or LATS activity could be detected in the blood. In these patients the protein-bound iodine (PBI), free thyroxine and triiodothyronine-Sephadex uptake tests were normal. In addition in one of these patients, hyperparathyroidisni due to a parathyroid adenoma was observed. The occurrence of a parathyroid adenoma in acromegaly may be one facet of the multiple endocrine adenoma syndrome.

In all 5 subjects the hydroxyproline in serum and urine was increased.
THE EFFECTS OF OESTROGENS ON BLUING LESIONS BY BRADYKININ AND HISTAMINE
Authors: Ishioka Tadao , Honda Yumiko , Sagara Atsushi , Shimamoto Takio
Published: December 2008

The anti-bradykinin effect of oestrogens in the vascular permeability-increasing effect of bradykinin in the skin of rabbits was demonstrated by Miles and Miles's technique, i. e. by the so-called bluing lesions. Thus,

The sizes of the bluing lesions induced by 0.01 μg of bradykinin were significantly reduced by conjugated oestrogens obtained from the urine of pregnant mares (Premarin) in a concentration of 0.2 μg, by synthetic oestrogens, namely hexoestrol in a concentration of 0.01 μg and oestriol dihemisuccinate (Styptanon) in a concentration of 2.0 μg, which were mixed in the same dose of bradykinin (P < 0.05), and the bradykinin-antagonistic effect of oestrogens was shown in each suitable concentrations.

The larger and smaller doses of oestrogens reduced the sizes of the bluing lesions; however, the reduction was smaller than those obtained by their suitable concentrations and was not statistically significant.

Conjugated oestrogens which were mixed in 0.1 μg and 0.001 μg of histamine failed to reduce the sizes of the bluing lesions induced by the same doses of histamine.
THE UPTAKE OF (6,7-3H) 17β-OESTRADIOL BY TISSUES OF THE DOMESTIC FOWL
Authors: Hawkins R. A. , Heald P. J. , Taylor Patricia
Published: December 2008

A limited investigation of the distribution of radioactivity in the tissues of the adult laying hen has been made at differing times after intravenous injection of (6,7-3H) 17β-oestradiol. Uptake by all tissues examined was maximal between 2.0 and 4.0 minutes after injection. There was a marked retention of radioactivity by the oviduct and the liver. Of cerebral tissues examined the uptake of radioactivity was greatest in the pituitary gland. This uptake varied according to the physiological state of the bird. Calculations based on the rates of clearance of intravenous (6,7-3H) 17β-oestradiol indicate that in the adult bird the rate of secretion by the ovary is of the order of 1–2.0 mg oestradiol/24 h.
A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF SPERMATOGENESIS IN RATS BEARING HYPOTHALAMIC LESIONS OF MAMMILLARY AND SUPRA-CHIASMATIC NUCLEI
Authors: Rüedi Bernard A.
Published: December 2008

A quantitative analysis of spermatogenesis has been made in rats bearing bilateral lesions of the lateral mammillary nuclei or of the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus. There was no significant change in the germinal cell counts in lesioned rats as compared either with normal or with sham operated rats.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BLOOD THYROTROPHIN LEVEL, PROTEIN BOUND IODINE AND FREE THYROXINE CONCENTRATION IN MAN UNDER NORMAL PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
Authors: Lemarchand-Béraud Th. , Vannotti A.
Published: December 2008

A study of the thyroid-pituitary interrelationships in normal healthy subjects is carried out by measurements of plasma thyrotrophin (TSH), by a radioimmunoassay, protein bound iodine (PBI) and free thyroxine (T4).

It has been found that:

– PBI and TSH significantly increase with age, which probably results from a peripheral hypometabolism, in spite of a normal free T4 concentration;

– there are circadian variations of free T4 accompanied by a non significant inverse relationship of the plasma TSH level;

– no important changes occur during the normal menstrual cycles but there is a significant increase in both PBI and TSH during pregnancy.

The secretion of pituitary TSH seems to be finely regulated not only by the free plasma thyroxine concentration but also by the rate of metabolism of the thyroid hormones in the cell.
THE METABOLISM OF RADIOACTIVE L-5′ ISOPROPYL-3′.3.5 TRIIODOTHYRONINE AND ITS RELATION TO THYROID HORMONE ACTION
Authors: Gordon Amirav , Zipser Yudith
Published: December 2008

The biological activity of L-3′ isopropyl-5′,3,5 triiodothyronine (ISO-T3) an isopropyl analogue of thyroxine (T4) was determined. The minimal goitre prevention dose of ISO-T3 was found to be 1.05 μg/100 g b. w./day. The molar ratio of activity of T3:ISO-T3:T4 equalled 1:3:8.5. T3 and ISO-T3 had the same effect on growth in thyroidectomized rats when injected in a molar ratio of 1:3. The distribution and disappearance of 125I-labelled ISO-T3 and T3 was studied in the thyroidectomized rats maintained on either of these substances. The disappearance rate of ISO-T3 was T½ = 185 min and of T3 T½ = 126 min. The difference was not statistically significant. The molar ratio of accumulated ISO-T3:T3 was 3:1 in skeletal muscle and 1.3:1 in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. The relative binding of ISO-T3 to plasma proteins was twice as strong as T3. Chromatographic analysis of tissue indicates that ISO-T3 is not appreciably transformed into T3 or 3′ isopropyl-T2. This model would indicate that the activity of a thyroid hormone analogue depends on a combination of the entry into the target site (muscle) and the sensitivity of the target receptor metabolic system. The entry is not solely dependent on the degree of binding by plasma proteins but may involve a receptor entry mechanism.
PRE- AND POSTOPERATIVE EXCRETION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM
Authors: Boström Harry , Wester Per Olov
Published: December 2008

A comparison of the range of urinary excretion of 20 elements (Ag, As, Au, Br, Ce, Cd, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, La, Mg, Mo, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, W, Zn) in healthy subjects as well as in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism before and after operation was performed by means of a recently developed ion-exchange technique following neutron activation analysis. The urinary levels of the 20 trace elements showed no distinct differences when the controls were compared with the untreated cases of hyperparathyroidism. Small differences in the urinary excretion of certain trace elements in patients with hyperparathyroidism before and after operation were, however, revealed. The biological significance of these findings is discussed.
ACCUMULATION AND RELEASE OF THYROID HORMONES BY THE NORMAL AND DISEASED HUMAN LIVER
Authors: Zaninovich Angel A. , Volpé Robert , Soto Roberto J. , Ezrin Calvin
Published: December 2008

In patients with liver cirrhosis the rate of disappearance of radioactivity from the blood during the 20 to 50 minute interval following the intravenous injection of 131I labelled L-T4 has been found to be markedly delayed compared to normal subjects. That this delay is due mainly to decreased hepatic uptake, was shown by a reduced 10 minute hepatic uptake of this labelled hormone. The principle binding proteins for T4 were not affected in a manner that would increase serum binding of the hormone. The 10 minute hepatic uptake of 131I labelled L-T3 was also reduced in the cirrhosis group, suggesting that the normal liver also contains binding sites for T3, and these are diminished in cirrhosis.
HISTOCHEMICAL AND HISTO-ENZYMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF GROWING CARTILAGE IN PSEUDOHYPOPARATHYROIDISM
Authors: Stănescu V. , Bona C. , Ionescu V.
Published: December 2008

A biopsy specimen of the tibial growing cartilage in a patient with pseudohypoparathyroidism aged 9 was studied. The cartilage was found to be narrow with a relatively wide resting zone, short columns of cells and very long directory lines. No osteoclasts were found. Histochemical investigations disclosed the presence of glycogen and of metachromatic, alcianophilic and Hale positive material within the chondrocytes. The matrix of the resting and proliferative zones contained Hale, γ-metachromatic and alcianophilic and weakly PAS positive material. Metachromasia was reversed by hyaluronidase and trypsin and partially extracted by sialidase. In the lower hypertrophic zone the matrix was orthochromatic, PAS positive and strongly alcianophilic. The directory lines were orthochromatic. Sialidase had no effect and hyaluronidase only partially reversed the alcianophilic material. By means of the cytoenzymological study strong lactate and glutamate dehydrogenase activity was detected; moderate activity of succinate dehydrogenase, ATP-ase and 5-nucleotidase; low activity of glutamyltranspeptidase, nonspecific esterase, acid phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase; lack of activity of NADP dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase, β-glucuronidase, leucyl-aminopeptidase, cysteine desulphurase. The alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in the hypertrophic chondrocytes and in the osteoblasts.
DWARFISM CAUSED BY CUSHING'S SYNDROME
Authors: Copinschi G. , Nève P. , Wolter R. , Bastenie P. A.
Published: December 2008

A case of dwarfism associated with Cushing's disease in a 15-year boy is described. Cessation of growth was accompanied by undetectable levels of plasma immunoreactive growth hormone in the fasting state and a complete lack of response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia. After total bilateral adrenalectomy, normal growth was rapidly resumed while a normal rise in plasma growth hormone was observed during an insulin tolerance test.
THE PLASMA 11-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS RESPONSE TO INSULIN-INDUCED HYPOGLYCAEMIA IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Authors: Laron Z. , Karp M. , Nitzan M. , Pertzelan A.
Published: December 2008

The insulin tolerance test (ITT) was performed in 102 children and adolescents belonging to the following 6 groups: controls (56 subjects), pituitary insufficiency (17 patients), delayed puberty (13 patients), obesity (6 patients), idiopathic precocious sexual development (6 patients) and congenital adrenal virilization (4 patients). All subjects showed hypoglycaemia. The mean percentage of maximal reduction in the blood sugar from the fasting concentration varied from 41 to 50 in all the groups. The control subjects and the patients with delayed puberty, obesity, precocious sexual development and congenital adrenal virilization showed an increase in plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids (11-OHCS) to a mean peak value ranging between 20 and 25 μg/100 ml, measured 60 min after the injection of insulin. From these results it was concluded that a rise in plasma 11-OHCS to a value of 20 μg/100 ml or more after hypoglycaemic stress denotes a normal corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and corticotrophin (ACTH) reserve. The patients with pituitary insufficiency showed 3 types of response independent of the degree of hypoglycaemia: nine patients showed a normal response, four had a medium response and four showed no response. There was a good correlation between lack of response of plasma 11-OHCS induced by hypoglycaemia and the urinary 17-OHCS response during the metopiron test, indicating that both these tests act at the hypothalamic level. Although the rise in plasma 11-OHCS after ITT was less marked than after the lysine vasopressin (LVP) test, it is suggested that the ITT is to be preferred as a clinical screening test, as it permits concomitant evaluation of both ACTH and growth hormone reserve. Another advantage of performing the ITT before the LVP test is that it allows of the diagnosis of a hypothalamic disturbance in ACTH secretion.
PLASMA LEVELS AND EXCRETION OF SOLVOLYZABLE STEROIDS
Authors: Hellström K. , Sjövall J. , Vihko R.
Published: December 2008

The faecal and urinary excretion of intravenously injected labelled dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate was studied in three healthy subjects on a standardized diet before and during oral cholestyramine administration. Faecal excretion was found to be an important pathway for the elimination of administered radioactivity. Thus, 28–45 per cent of the activity was recovered in the faeces during the control period. The urinary isotope excretion was slightly lower during cholestyramine administration. The plasma concentrations of »sulphates« of androsterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, epiandrosterone, androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol and pregn-5-ene-3β,20α-diol and the urinary excretion of »sulphates« of the same steroids with the exception of epiandrosterone, were determined by gas chromatographic procedures. The individual and daily variations of the values were large and no change could be detected when cholestyramine was administered. The low renal clearance of steroid sulphates has been confirmed.
PLASMA TESTOSTERONE VALUES IN DIFFERENT FORMS OF TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT
Authors: Aakvaag Asbjørn , Vogt Jørgen H.
Published: December 2008

Plasma testosterone was determined in 4 cases of female trans-sexualism under virilizing therapy with various testosterone preparations. Testosterone oenanthate and a mixture of testosterone esters gave adequate plasma values (above 0.40 μg/100 ml) of 2–4 weeks duration. Rectal application of 50 mg non-esterified testosterone gave normal male values lasting for about 12 hours. Sublingual application of 17α-methyl-testosterone did not bring about a rise in plasma testosterone.
RENIN SECRETION IN VITRO FROM RAT KIDNEY CORTEX SLICES
Authors: Božović Lj. , Efendić S.
Published: December 2008

A method for in vitro studies of renin release is described. Kidney cortex slices taken from control rats and rats stimulated to release renin were incubated with and without glucose. Renin release from the slices to a large extent was glucose-dependent. This result supports the hypothesis of an active mechanism of renin secretion.
A MODIFICATION OF THE PIGEON CROP SAC ASSAY FOR LACTOTROPHIC HORMONE DETERMINATIONS BY MEANS OF THE ADDITION OF PREDNISOLONE
Authors: Herlyn U. , Jantzen K. , Flaskamp D. , Hoffmann H. , von Berswordt-Wallrabe Ilse
Published: December 2008

For LTH-determination in biological material without preliminary extraction procedures the pigeon crop sac assay, performed by the micro-method of Grosvenor & Turner (1958), and modified by the addition of prednisolone to the standard or test material was used. Serum samples of lactating women caused no inflammations of the skin of the pigeons, and the crop sacs hardly showed any signs of inflammation. Reaction sites could be measured more easily, and the LTH activities in the plasma were about 3 times higher than in plasma processed by the acetone extraction method of Sulman (1956).
UTERO-OVARIAN RELATIONSHIPS IN THE GOLDEN HAMSTER
Authors: Duby R. T. , McDaniel J. W. , Spilman C. H. , Black D. L.
Published: December 2008

Removal of the non-gravid uterus during the oestrous cycle does not influence the time of the next oestrus and does not influence normal ovarian periodicity for up to 13 months. Hysterectomy prolongs the length of pseudopregnancy by approximately 7.5 days. A critical period occurs in the life span of the corpora lutea of pseudopregnancy on or about day 7; hysterectomy prior to this time results in continued luteal maintenance but is without effect if performed on day 8. In the pregnant animal hysterectomy up to day 8 post-coitum results in continued luteal maintenance while luteal regression occurs in the majority of animals hysterectomized after this time.
UTERO-OVARIAN RELATIONSHIPS IN THE GOLDEN HAMSTER.
Authors: Duby R. T. , McDaniel J. W. , Spilman C. H. , Black D. L.
Published: December 2008

Transplantation of uterine tissue to the cheekpouches of hysterectomized hamsters shortens the duration of pseudopregnancy. Uterine autotransplants were the most effective. Single uterine homografts and rat uterine heterografts were more effective than multiple hamster homografts; mouse uterine heterografts were completely ineffective. Bovine endometrial extracts obtained on days 14 or 16 post-oestrus promoted luteolysis in pseudopregnant hamsters hysterectomized on day 7 post-coitum. Extracts obtained from uteri on day 12 or 18 post-oestrus were ineffective. All extracts tested failed to promote luteolysis in pregnant hamsters or hysterectomized-pseudopregnant hamsters.
SEMIQUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF URINARY PREGNANETRIOL, PREGNANETRIOLONE AND TETRAHYDRO S IN THE INVESTIGATION OF ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION
Authors: Thomas Frances J. , Steinbeck A. W.
Published: December 2008

Following β-glucuronidase hydrolysis, pregnanetriol, pregnanetriolone and tetrahydro S were extracted from urine, chromatographed on florosil and in two paper systems before semiquantitative estimation of pregnanetriol and pregnanetriolone with the phosphoric acid reaction and of tetrahydro S with blue tetrazolium. The chemical validity and reliability of the method were studied and excretions measured in normal subjects and endocrine disorders. Pregnanetriol excretions were compared with published values.

Normal pregnanetriol excretions were found in »idiopathic« hirsutism, with Stein-Leventhal ovaries and in Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal adenoma and hyperplasia; increased excretions were found in congenital adrenal hyperplasia and Cushing's syndrome with adrenal carcinoma. Pregnanetriolone was detected only in congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome from hyperplasia and one carcinoma. Large amounts of tetrahydro S were found in Cushing's syndrome with adrenal carcinoma. The possible diagnostic significance of the findings is discussed.
SKIN-FOLD THICKNESS IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH ACROMEGALY AND CUSHING'S SYNDROME
Authors: Wright A. D. , Joplin G. F.
Published: December 2008

A simple clinical method of determining the skin-fold thickness on the dorsum of the hand has been described using the Harpendon spring-loaded caliper. A normal range for age and sex has been established in 258 normal subjects. The mean skin-fold thickness was greater in men than in women, and in both decreased with age, falling from 2.85 to 1.75 mm in men, and from 2.65 to 1.60 mm in women (aged 15–20 to 70–80). In 48 acromegalic patients, 71 % of the skin-fold measurements were abnormally thick. In 12 patients with Cushing's syndrome, although all measurements were below the normal mean, 42 % only were abnormally thin.
A METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF INDIVIDUAL URINARY CORTICOSTEROIDS, PREGNANEDIOL, PREGNANETRIOL AND PREGNANETRIOLONE FOLLOWING THEIR SEPARATION BY THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: Kraiem Z. , Lunenfeld B. , Skalka J.
Published: December 2008

A method is described for estimating urinary pregnanediol, pregnanetriol, pregnanetriolone and the following individual corticosteroids: tetrahydrocortisol (THF), allotetrahydrocortisol (allo-THF), tetrahydrocortisone (THE), cortisol (F), tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol (THS), tetrahydrocorticosterone (THB), allotetrahydrocorticosterone (allo-THB), tetrahydro-11-dehydrocorticosterone (THA), tetrahydro-11-deoxycorticosterone (THDOC). The main steps of the method are: enzymatic hydrolysis, extraction, fractionation by thin-layer chromatography, and colorimetric estimation using the sulphuric acid reaction for pregnanediol, pregnanetriol and pregnanetriolone, and the blue tetrazolium reaction for the individual corticosteroids.

The reliability criteria (specificity, accuracy, precision and sensitivity) of the method have been assessed. The advantage of the method lies in its practicability since, unlike other methods: a) the same urine sample (50 ml) is submitted, for the estimation of the twelve C21 steroids, to the same procedure until fractionation, and b) thin-layer chromatography alone is used for the latter purpose.
INTERRELATION BETWEEN ADRENAL FUNCTION AND FORMATION OF TESTOSTERONE IN VIVO IN THE TESTIS OF THE DOG
Authors: Wassermann G. F. , Eik-Nes K. B.
Published: December 2008

When testes of normal, anaesthetized dogs were infused with the animal's own adrenal venous blood (oxygenated) via the spermatic artery, the secretion of testosterone was higher than by testes infused with the animal's own peripheral, arterial blood. This augmentation in testosterone secretion is probably due to increased biosynthesis of testosterone since the tissue concentration of the hormone at the end of infusion was highest in testes infused with adrenal venous blood.

The canine adrenal gland secretes large amounts of progesterone and androst-4-enedione. A minute secretion of free dehydroepiandrosterone can be measured in adrenal venous blood, but no evidence was obtained that the dog adrenal secretes testosterone. The adrenal venous blood of the dog appears to contain a precursor for dehydroepiandrosterone, since testes infused with adrenal venous blood secreted more dehydroepiandrosterone than testes infused with femoral arterial blood. The gonad of the male dog does not secrete progesterone, but secretes free dehydroepiandrosterone, androst-4-enedione and testosterone, the latter compound being the major hormonal product of this tissue.

The data have been discussed with regard to a possible adrenal-testicular interaction in the male dog.
FORMATION OF 17α-HYDROXY-PREGNENOLONE, 17α-HYDROXY-PROGESTERONE AND PROGESTERONE BY HYDATIDIFORM MOLES IN VITRO
Authors: van Leusden Hubertus A. , Siemerink Maria
Published: December 2008

Vesicles of hydatidiform moles were incubated in the presence of [7α-3H]pregnenolone, After the incubation and extraction of tissues and media, 17α-hydroxy-pregnenolone*, 17α-hydroxy-progesterone and progesterone were identified using a number of TLC systems, followed by crystallization to a constant specific activity. [7α-3H] pregnenolone was not converted to oestrone, 17β-oestradiol and oestriol. The experimental findings indicate that hydatidiform moles, like full term placentas, are deficient in the enzymes necessary to convert C21 to C19 steroids. The production of 17α-hydroxy-progesterone and progesterone in the molar trophoblast in situ may contribute to the considerable urinary excretion of pregnanetriol and pregnanediol in patients with hydatidiform moles.
TWO TYPES OF SERTOLI CELLS IN MAN
Authors: Johnsen Svend G.
Published: December 2008

By means of iron haematoxylin staining carefully differentiated by either picric acid or iron alum, Sertoli cells may be differentiated into two types, one (type A) containing unstained nuclei and the other (type B) intensely stained nuclei. No intermediate forms appear to be present. The two types are most easily found in the Sertoli-cell-only syndrome but they are present in the testes with spermatogenesis although type B is rare. The immature (pro-) Sertoli cells in infantile testes also display the two types. The two types of Sertoli cells differ in their degree of binding between nucleic acids and nucleic protein. The significance of the existence of these two types is discussed.
EFFECT OF EXOGENOUS THYROXINE ON 3H-THYMIDINE UPTAKE IN MOUSE PITUITARY GLAND
Authors: Messier B.
Published: December 2008

Destruction of the thyroid gland in the mouse induces proliferation of pituitary thyrotropes. This phenomenon was studied quantitatively with 3H-thymidine, before and after oral administration of thyroxine.

The frequency of radioactive cells in the intact animal is 3.4 per 10 000 pituitary cells. This value rises to 19.6, 18.4 and 56.0 four, eight, and twelve months after thyroidectomy, respectively. All these increased values are brought back to normal levels after 5 to 10 days of thyroxine treatment.

Thus, the intense proliferation of pituitary thyrotropes following thyroidectomy is still responsive to the homeostatic action of thyroxine.
EFFECT OF DEXAMETHASONE ON CALCIUM METABOLISM AND 47Ca KINETICS IN NORMAL SUBJECTS
Authors: Wajchenberg Bernardo Léo , Pereira Virgilio Gonçalves , Kieffer Julio , Ursic Silvio
Published: December 2008

The effects of pharmacological doses of dexamethasone on calcium metabolism were evaluated in 4 normal subjects, by stable calcium and phosphorus balances and 47Ca kinetic studies. The radioactivity data were satisfactorily fitted to a model with 2 exchanging compartments.

There was a significant increase in urinary calcium excretion rate with higher specific activities. The total faecal calcium did not alter despite changes in its components, i. e. a fall in endogenous faecal calcium and an increase in unabsorbed dietary calcium. The data suggest that dexamethasone inhibits the rate of calcium transfer across the intestinal wall. more intensely from the mucosal cell to the lumen (secretion).

From the constants of compartmental analysis, the only significant and consistent change was the increase in bone resorption rate. Bone deposition rate increased in 2 and decreased in the remaining 2 subjects.

The results of our studies indicate that dexamethasone has a direct effect on the way calcium is dealt with by the kidney and the gut and that the drug has a direct effect on the skeleton.

For comparison a patient with Cushing's syndrome was studied during the active phase and also after clinical and laboratorial remission of the disease.
THE EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID ON ADRENAL ACTIVITY DURING VITAMIN A AND RIBOFLAVIN DEFICIENCIES IN CHICKS (ADRENAL ACTIVITY IN VITAMIN DEFICIENCY)
Authors: Perek M. , Kendler J.
Published: December 2008

The adrenal weight and corticosteroid concentration were found to increase in vitamin A- and riboflavin-deficient chicks. Supplementation of ascorbic acid to the diet reduced the adrenal weight in both types of birds, decreased the steroid concentration in riboflavin-deficient chicks but increased the concentration in avitaminotic A chicks. Marked involution of the bursa Fabricii was observed in the chicks during the period in which they suffered from vitamin A and riboflavin deficiencies.
EFFECT OF EPINEPHRINE ON GLUCOSE METABOLISM IN NOVIKOFF ASCITES HEPATOMA CELLS
Authors: Nigam V. N.
Published: December 2008

No major effects of epinephrine on glycogen synthesis and glycolysis by intact Novikoff ascites-hepatoma were noted. However, at 2 × 10−5 m epinephrine concentration glycogen synthesis from glucose was slightly enhanced and lactic acid production was slightly decreased. These effects were attributed to a stimulation of UDPglucose-α-glucan glucosyltransferase and an inhibition of phosphofructokinase. Breakdown of glycogen deposited by the tumour cells was also inhibited to a small extent by epinephrine.

The pattern of epinephrine action on glucose metabolism of tumour cells suggests that loss as well as modification of the receptor (of epinephrine) occurs during neoplastic transformation of liver.
SIMPLIFIED DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION TEST
Authors: Asfeldt V. H.
Published: December 2008

This is an investigation of the practical clinical value of the one mg dexamethasone suppression test of Nugent et al. (1963). The results, evaluated from the decrease in fluorimetrically determined plasma corticosteroids in normal subjects, as well as in cases of exogenous obesity, hirsutism and in Cushing's syndrome, confirm the findings reported in previous studies. Plasma corticosteroid reduction after one mg of dexamethasone in cases of stable diabetes was not significantly different from that observed in control subjects, but in one third of the insulin-treated diabetics only a partial response was observed, indicating a slight hypercorticism in these patients. An insufficient decrease in plasma corticosteroids was observed in certain other conditions (anorexia nervosa, pituitary adenoma, patients receiving contraceptive or anticonvulsive treatment) with no hypercorticism. The physiological significance of these findings is discussed. It is concluded that the test, together with a determination of the basal urinary 17-ketogenic steroid excretion, is suitable as the first diagnostic test in patients in whom Cushing's syndrome is suspected. In cases of insufficient suppression of plasma corticosteroids, further studies, including the suppression test of Liddle (1960), must be carried out.
STUDIES ON SEX HORMONE EXCRETION IN NORMAL AND HIRSUTE WOMEN
Authors: Ismail A. A. A. , Davidson D. W. , Kirkham K. E. , Loraine J. A.
Published: December 2008

Serial assays of testosterone, epitestosterone, oestrogens and pregnanediol in urine have been conducted in 11 hirsute patients and the results compared with those in 14 normally menstruating women. Overall mean levels for testosterone and epitestosterone were significantly higher in the hirsute group suggesting that excessive androgen production is of importance in the pathogenesis of this condition; significant differences in mean oestrogen and pregnanediol output between the two groups were not noted. In the hirsute subjects significant differences in urinary steroid excretion were not found between patients suffering from simple hirsutism and those in whom the excessive hair growth was associated with other pathological conditions. In both normal and hirsute groups steroid levels differed significantly between subjects and in individual women at different times. The incidence of anovulatory cycles was considerably higher in the hirsute than in the normal group.
PERSISTENT LEVELS OF PHOSPHORYLASE IN THE RAT OVARY AFTER OESTRADIOL AND GONADOTROPHIN TREATMENT
Authors: Bruzzone Silvio
Published: December 2008

The active phosphorylase level of adult rat ovarian tissue was not altered after oestradiol administration in doses of 10 or 30 μg daily during 10 days. In spite of the fact that ovarian atrophy was induced by 10 μg daily of oestradiol during 30 days, the enzyme level remained constant. A 3 day course of PMS to these 30 day oestradiol-treated rats did not alter the active phosphorylase level. Intrasplenic ovarian grafts exhibited the same phosphorylase levels as the in situ ovaries, and no change was observed after oestradiol treatment. These results indicate that in the rat ovary, the phosphorylase levels are not regulated by gonadotrophin activity and that in vivo oestradiol does not interact with the active enzyme form.
DER GEHALT AN CHORIALEM GONADOTROPIN IM FRUCHTWASSER WÄHREND NORMALER UND PATHOLOGISCHER SCHWANGERSCHAFT
Authors: Berle P.
Published: December 2008

HCG is measured in the amniotic fluid, in the plasma of the umbilical vein and of the umbilical artery. The values are as 3:1.5:1. From the 9th week of gestation onwards appears a striking rise in the HCG concentration in the amniotic fluid reaching peak values around the 13th week. This peak is followed by a substantial decrease reaching relative constant and low values, which are sustained until the 40th week. The HCG reaches the amniotic fluid by transamnial or transchorial way. Only small amounts come from the foetus. The increased HCG concentration in the amniotic fluid and in the blood of the umbilical vein in severe erythroblastosis and in diabetes mellitus could be caused by an increased production of HCG in the placenta and/or by a decreased inactivation of HCG by means of the foetus.
HALF-LIFE OF OXYTOCIN IN BLOOD OF PREGNANT AND NON-PREGNANT WOMEN
Authors: Rydén Gunnar , Sjöholm Ingvar
Published: December 2008

Using tritium-labelled oxytocin with a high specific activity, the halflife in the blood and the urinary excretion of intravenously injected oxytocin were followed in the female. The following groups of patients were studied: normally menstruating women during different phases of the menstrual cycle, women using a combination of gestagenic and oestrogenic hormones for oral contraception, and pregnant women in the first and second trimester. The pregnant women were admitted to the hospital for legal abortion in the 10th–20th week of gestation.

In the proliferative phase, t½ was 272 seconds (n = 14), in the secretory phase 221 seconds (n = 5), and in women using oral contraceptives 199 seconds (n = 10). In pregnant women during the first trimester, t½ was 178 seconds (n = 6). The corresponding value in women examined during the 14th–17th weeks and during the 18th–20th weeks of gestation was 295 seconds (n = 6) and 282 seconds (n = 6), respectively. T½ was also determined within 24 h of abortion in patients in the second trimester, where the abortion was induced by intra-amniotic instillation of 50% glucose. In all cases a decrease in t½ was found. The decrease was most marked in women during the 18th–20th weeks of gestation. Altogether 25–50% of the radioactivity injected was recovered in the urine from pregnant women within 3 h of the injection. Thin-layer chromatography of the urine did not reveal the presence of any intact oxytocin.

The results demonstrate that the disappearance of oxytocin from the blood seems to be influenced by the sex hormones. Thus, an oestrogendominated stage shows a lower disappearance rate, whereas gestagens produce the reverse effect. The pronounced decrease in t½ in pregnant women immediately after abortion might be due to a change to a more progesterone-dominated stage induced by the death of the foetus, or by an alteration in the affinity of oxytocin to the myometrium.
BINDING OF ZINC TO INSULIN AND SOME INSULIN DERIVATIVES STUDIED BY PAPER ELECTROPHORESIS
Authors: Brunfeldt K. , Hansen B. A. , Nielsen J. Hoiriis
Published: December 2008

Paper electrophoretic fractionation in barbiturate (barbital) buffer, pH 9, of iodine-substituted insulin 0–10.8 I/mole showed that substitution with 4–6 I/mole influences the binding of zinc to a demonstrable extent. The effect appears to be due to substitution in the imidazole groups of the histidine residues. Substitution with iodine in the tyrosine residues seems to be without significance, at least at the lower degrees of iodination. The importance of the histidine residues for the binding of zinc is shown by selective destruction of the imidazole groups by photo-oxidation, sensitized by methylene blue. Carbamylation of the N-terminal α-amino groups in the A- and B-chains with KOCN only slightly influences the ability to bind zinc while carbamylation with fluorescein isothiocyanate in the N-terminal of the B-chain brings about a more pronounced reduction in the zinc binding capacity.
CONVERSION OF PREGNENOLONE TO PROGESTERONE BY RABBIT PLACENTA IN VITRO
Authors: Matsumoto K. , Yamane G. , Endo H. , Kotoh K. , Okano K.
Published: December 2008

A placental preparation from rabbits in mid-pregnancy was shown to convert 7α-3H-pregnenolone to radioactive progesterone in vitro. The extent of conversion per gram tissue by the placenta was about one hundredth of that by the ovary from the pregnant rabbit. Identification of radioactive progesterone was accomplished by reverse isotope dilution and recrystallization to constant specific activity. However, no Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was found histochemically in the trophoblast and other tissues of the rabbit placenta. No ability to convert 7α-3H-pregnenolone to radioactive 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, 20β-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, corticosterone, cortisol, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, dehydroepiandrosterone, 17β-oestradiol and oestrone in placental preparation from rabbits could be demonstrated.

The data demonstrate the presence of a 3β-ol-dehydrogenase enzyme system in the rabbit placenta.
PROGESTERONE LEVELS IN PERIPHERAL PLASMA DURING THE LUTEAL PHASE OF THE NORMAL HUMAN MENSTRUAL CYCLE MEASURED BY A RAPID COMPETITIVE PROTEIN BINDING TECHNIQUE
Authors: Johansson Elof D. B.
Published: December 2008

The competitive protein binding technique for the measurement of progesterone has been further simplified for clinical use. Only 0.25 ml of plasma is needed for the determination during the luteal phase. One technician can assay 20 samples in one day with good precision and accuracy. The progesterone concentration in 20 normal human menstrual cycles was studied. During the follicular phase a mean concentration of 0.32 ± 0.25 (s) ng/ml plasma was found. At the mid-cycle peak of the total oestrogens the progesterone concentration started to rise and reached a plateau between 10–20 ng/ml 4 to 6 days later. From the plateau level, the concentration fell rapidly to less than 1 ng/ml at the onset of menstrual bleeding. The mean luteal phase lasted for 14.15 ± 1.05 (s) days.
METABOLISM OF PROGESTERONE BY THE RAT OVARY: FORMATION OF 3β-HYDROXY-5α-PREGNAN-20-ONE BY OVARIAN MICROSOMES
Authors: Zmigrod A. , Lindner H. R.
Published: December 2008

A microsomal fraction from rat ovaries incubated with [4-14C] progesterone in the presence of NADPH produced radioactive 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one as the major metabolite. Identification of this compound, not hitherto isolated from mammalian ovaries, was based on (i) paper and gas-chromatographic behaviour of the free compound and its acetate, (ii) gas-chromatographic characterization of the thioketal derivative and the oxidation product, and (iii) recrystallization with authentic carrier to constant specific activity. Ovaries from both pregnant and prooestrous rats showed this enzymic activity. The possible biological function of ovarian steroid reductases is discussed.
STUDIES WITH 4-14-C-MESTRANOL IN LACTATING WOMEN
Authors: Wijmenga H. G. , van der Molen H. J.
Published: December 2008

14C-Mestranol (5 μc) was administered orally in a Lyndiol®**-tablet (= 5 mg lynestrenol*** + 150 μg mestranol) to four women using Lyndiol® during the lactation period shortly after delivery.

The concentration of radioactivity in the plasma and the excretion of radioactivity in the urine and milk were studied.

The clearance rate of radioactivity from the blood was very low. A halflife in the order of 40–60 h was found for labelled »mestranol and its metabolites«. In three cases 31–36% of the radioactivity was excreted into the urine within 5 days after oral administration of the labelled material; in the fourth patient this value was about 52 %.

During a collection period of 4 days after the oral administration of the 14C-mestranol-containing tablet, 0.0002–0.013 per cent of the administered dose was excreted into the milk. These very low values were partly due to the low amounts of milk that could be collected. It was calculated that with the regular oral administration of one Lyndiol®-tablet daily, with 150 μg mestranol per tablet, about 0.03–0.06 μg (0.02–0.04 % of the administered dose) of mestranol or its metabolites might be excreted per 100 ml milk. The significance of these amounts, in view of the transfer to infants during breast-feeding, is discussed.
EFFECTS OF STARVATION ON LEVELS OF CORTICOTROPHIN RELEASING FACTOR, CORTICOTROPHIN AND PLASMA CORTICOSTERONE IN RATS
Authors: Chowers I. , Einat R. , Feldman S.
Published: December 2008

Rats were starved for seven days and the effects on corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) content in the stalk median eminence (SME), corticotrophin content in the anterior pituitary gland (AP), basal plasma corticosterone response to ethyl ether stress were determined. The weight changes in the adrenal and anterior pituitary glands were also studied. When compared to the control group, starvation resulted in a significant increase in stored GRF in the SME. There was a decrease in the corticotrophin content in the AP during starvation but the differences between the starved and the control group were not statistically significant. Pre- and post-stress plasma levels of corticosterone were significantly increased in the starved animals. The weights of the adrenals and of the anterior pituitary glands were significantly increased in the starved animals, when calculated per 100 g body weight. The absolute weight of the adrenals was not significantly increased in the starved animals. There was a significant decrease in the absolute weight of the AP.
STUDIES ON THE ANTITHYROID ACTIVITY OF NATURALLY OCCURRING L-5-VINYL-2-THIOOXAZOLIDONE AND ITS URINARY METABOLITE IN RATS
Authors: Langer P. , Michajlovskij N.
Published: December 2008

Rats were force fed a single dose of 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280 and 2560 μg L-5-vinyl-2-thiooxazolidone (VTO) and injected with 131I one hour later. The 131I uptake, biosynthesis of thyroid hormones and PB131I were measured 4 h after the administration of 131I. Under these conditions, a higher antithyroidal effect with VTO was found in rats fed a normal diet (ND) for 10 days before the experiment as compared with rats fed a low iodinediet (LID) for the same period. The results are described in detail.

Similar doses of VTO were force fed to groups of rats fed LID daily for 20 days. The animals received 1 μCi 125I per 15 ml of drinking water for 30 days before sacrifice. One hour after the last dose of VTO they were injected with μCi 131I and killed 4 h later. In addition to the parameters presented above the thyroid weight, total 125I in the thyroid and PB125I were measured. The inhibition of thyroid activity was in direct relation to the dose of VTO administered.

Finally, ethereal extracts of urine of rats kept in metabolic cages and force fed a single dose of 10 mg VTO were prepared and the dried extract was dissolved in methanol and applied to the chromatographic paper. In two chromatographic systems (1. water saturated chloroform, 2. n-butanol:acetic acid:water) two compounds were detected, one of which (Compound A) was chromatographically identical with VTO and the other (Compound B) was unknown. The Compound B was extracted from chromatograms, its UV-absorption spectrum was measured and its antithyroid activity was tested in rats. The 131I uptake was significantly inhibited following a single administration of 640 μg Compound B.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE SULFATION FACTOR AND IMMUNODETECTABLE GROWTH HORMONE IN SERUM.
Authors: Yde Hans
Published: December 2008

Using a modified sulfation factor (SF) method involving the use of nonhypophysectomized animals as cartilage donors, a fall in serum SF was found after hypophysectomy in diabetic patients. At the same time immuno-reactive growth hormone (IRGH) disappeared from the serum of these patients.

In the fasting serum of 52 newly diagnosed untreated diabetics, 22 patients with severe diabetic angiopathy and 10 non-diabetics, no correlation was observed between the serum SF and IRGH. This discrepancy may be due to the non-specificity of SF or to a time lag between the secretion of growth hormone and the production of the growth hormone dependent sulfation factor.
PERSISTING HIGH LEVEL OF TRANSMITTER IN UTERINE SHORT ADRENERGIC NEURONS FOLLOWING PROLONGED TREATMENT WITH 17β-OESTRADIOL
Authors: Falck B. , Owman Ch. , Rosengren E. , Sjöberg N.-O.
Published: December 2008

The myometrium of the rabbit uterus receives its adrenergic nerve supply by way of short adrenergic neurons originating in peripheral ganglia located at the uterovaginal junction. Treatment with 17β-oestradiol daily for 4 weeks produced a doubling of the total noradrenaline content of the uterus, as measured fluorimetrically. This high transmitter level persisted even if the oestrogen administration was interrupted after half the experimental period. No changes occurred in the noradrenaline content of the control organs (heart and ovary) which are innervated by ordinary long adrenergic neurons from the sympathetic chain. The significance of the present results for the marked changes in uterine noradrenaline previously found during pregnancy is discussed.