bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA OF A GIRL CAUSED BY A VIRILIZING ADRENAL TUMOUR IN THE MOTHER
Authors: Mürset G. , Zachmann M. , Prader A. , Fischer ]. , Labhart A.
Published: December 2008

A 7-year-old normal looking »boy« presented bilateral cyptorchidism. At surgery female internal genitalia (uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries) were found. The caryotype was 46 XX. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia could be excluded and no androgens or gestagens were given to the mother during pregnancy. The mother in spite of regular menstrual cycles showed some signs of virilization. Further examination revealed the presence of an adrenal cortical adenoma in the mother.

To our knowledge, this is the first case of complete masculinization of a girl caused by an adrenal tumour in the mother.
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE AND SOCIAL PRESSURE ON THE ADRENAL RESPONSE OF LEMMINGS, VOLES AND MICE
Authors: Andrews Richard V.
Published: December 2008

In vitro incubations of adrenals from wild-caught lemmings, voles and mice reveal secretory activity which reflects the adrenal status of populations. Secretory rates were higher in animals from natural »high density« and laboratory »crowded« groups. All species examined showed higher secretory rates in the winter than in the summer.
IDENTIFICATION DES CORTICOSTEROIDES SECRETES PAR LES SURRENALES EMBRYONNAIRES DE VEAU, LAPIN ET SOURIS CULTIVEES IN VITRO
Authors: Chouraqui J. , Weniger J.-P.
Published: December 2008

Adrenals from calf, rabbit and mouse embryos were incubated with [1-14C] sodium acetate. The corticosteroids were extracted from the incubation media and identified by sequential thin-layer radiochromatography and derivative formation, either alone or combined with recrystallization to constant specific activity. It is concluded that adrenals from calf embryo synthesize in vitro cortisol, corticosterone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone; from rabbit embryo, cortisone, cortisol and aldosterone; and from mouse embryo, cortisol, corticosterone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone and aldosterone.
OVULATION BLOCK PRODUCED BY AN INHIBITOR OF LUTEOTROPHIN, ERGOCORNINE
Authors: Kraicer P. F. , Strauss J. F.
Published: December 2008

Ergocornine methanesulphonate is a known inhibitor of pituitary luteotrophic activity in the rat; by this means its administration interrupts pregnancy and pseudopregnancy. In this study it has been shown to block ovulation. The time during which ovulation can be blocked is divisible into two periods, one of which corresponds to the critical period for ovulation block by neurodepressive drugs. The working hypothesis of this study, that ergocornine competes with progesterone for a CNS-receptor, is not confirmed.
SERUM CORTICOTROPHIN, PLASMA CORTISOL AND URINARY EXCRETION OF 17-KETOGENIC STEROIDS IN THE ELDERLY (AGE GROUP: 66–94 YEARS)
Authors: Jensen H. Kaalund , Blichert-Toft M.
Published: December 2008

The serum corticotrophin concentrations was determined in 28 elderly subjects (70–94 years) by the radioimmunochemical double-antibody-technique. In 5 elderly subjects, the corticotrophin concentration was studied throughout the 24-hour period. The plasma cortisol concentration was determined by means of a double-isotope-derivative technique in 69 elderly subjects (66–94 years). In 10 elderly and 8 younger subjects the concentration was checked throughout the 24-hour period. The urinary excretion of 17-ketogenic steroids was determined in a total of 80 elderly subjects (66–94 years). For comparison corticotrophin and cortisol measurements in young volunteers assayed by identical methods were used and partly carried out in cooperation with other investigators.

At 8 a. m. the average corticotrophin concentration was 101.8 ± 55.0 (sd) pg/ml of serum and the average cortisol concentration was 15.0 ± 4.60 (sd) μg/100 ml of plasma. No significant age or sex variation could be detected. With regard to both hormones, the circadian variations were marked with parallel changes in the concentrations of corticotrophin and cortisol. The highest concentration was measured in the morning and the lowest in the evening. The urinary excretion of 17-ketogenic steroids showed a tendency to decrease with increasing age. The regression equation for females was ȳx = −0.07x + 11.42, for males ȳx = −0.22x + 26.59.
PLASMA PROGESTERONE IN PREGNANCY INTERRUPTED BY THE INTRAUTERINE INJECTION OF HYPERTONIC SALINE
Authors: Holmdahl Tore H:son , Johansson Elof D. B. , Nilsson Bo A.
Published: December 2008

Plasma levels of progesterone (pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione) were measured in nineteen pregnant patients following intra-amniotic injection of hypertonic saline between the 13th and 20th week of gestation. A significant decrease in the plasma progesterone was found 5, 10, and 24 hours following the injection. However, the decrease in plasma progesterone was not correlated to the time interval between the saline-injection and the onset of clinical labour (correlation coefficient 0.019).
INTERACTIONS OF ADRENERGIC BLOCKING DRUGS WITH THE IN VIVO RELEASE OF THYROID HORMONE INDUCED BY THYROTROPHIN AND THE LONG-ACTING THYROID STIMULATOR
Authors: Melander Arne
Published: December 2008

The interactions of adrenergic blocking drugs with the thyroid hormone-releasing effects of thyrotrophin (TSH), the long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) and l-isoprenaline (IPNA) were studied by measuring blood radioiodine levels in 131I-injected, thyroxine-blocked mice.

Pretreatment with the alpha adrenergic blocking drug phenoxybenzamine (PhBA) reduced the 2 h blood 131I response to TSH, and also reduced the 2 and the 8 h responses to LATS, whereas the TSH-like response to IPNA was either augmented or unaffected. Similar results were obtained with another alpha blocker, phentolamine (PhA). Neither the l- nor the d-isomer of the beta blocker propranolol (l-Pro and d-Pro) reduced the responses to TSH or LATS, although l-Pro abolished the response to IPNA.

These findings support the concept of a common mechanism for the actions of TSH and LATS, on the in vivo release of thyroid hormone. The same mechanism may be involved in the TSH-like effect of several biogenic monoamines, since the blood 131I responses to these, according to previous findings, are also inhibited by alpha blockers. The non-biogenic IPNA, however, seems to differ from TSH and the biogenic monoamines in its initial interaction with the thyroid cell.
AMENORRHOEA ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED PRODUCTION OF GONADOTROPHINS AND A MORPHOLOGICALLY NORMAL OVARIAN FOLLICULAR APPARATUS
Authors: Starup J. , Sele V. , Henriksen B.
Published: December 2008

Three cases of amenorrhoea associated with increased production of gonadotrophins and a morphologically normal ovarian follicular apparatus are presented. The first patient was 23 years old and had primary amenorrhoea. The other 2 patients were 28 and 26 years old, and had secondary amenorrhoea of 26 and 12 months' duration, respectively.

It was characteristic of all 3 patients that the secondary sexual characteristics were developed before they had received any substitution therapy. The urinary excretion of total gonadotrophins was markedly increased, and by selective assays it was shown that the excretion of both FSH and LH was increased. The excretion of total oestrogens and pregnanediol was low. Furthermore, histological examination of ovarian biopsies in all 3 patients revealed ovaries with a normal stroma without any luteinization or hyperplasia of the hilus cells and a follicular apparatus with numerous primordial follicles. Very few of these, however, showed progression to the antrum stage and practically none showed any further development.

In an attempt to stimulate the development of the ovarian follicles and to induce ovulation 1 patient was treated with clomiphene, and in addition all 3 patients were treated with very high doses of human gonadotrophins, but all attempts were unsuccessful. The explanation is probably that the ovaries of these patients are resistant to stimulation with gonadotrophins. Unfortunately, the possibility of an autoimmune reaction in the ovaries with formation of antigonadotrophins was not investigated in the present study.

The aetiology of this syndrome is not yet known, but it might be of interest that 2 out of our 3 patients had received long-term treatment with combined oestrogen-gestagen preparations during the years before the diagnosis was made.
OVARIAN SENSITIVITY TO OVULATORY STIMULI IN THE ANDROGEN-INDUCED PERSISTENT-OESTROUS RATS
Authors: Labhsetwar Anant P.
Published: December 2008

The ovarian response of adult rats made persistent-oestrus by the postnatal treatment with testosterone propionate was examined by determining the number of ova shed in response to small doses of LH and/or FSH, and placental gonadotrophins (PMSG or HCG). A dose of LH (10 μg/rat) estimated to be equivalent to twice the minimal amount secreted for ovulation in normal rats failed to release a normal complement of ova. The same dose of FSH induced ovulation in 40% of rats with an ova count of 5.7 ± 1.8/rat. Both placental gonadotrophins induced ovulation, although the ova yield was significantly below the normal oestrous control. It is inferred from these findings that the ovarian sensitivity of androgen-sterilized rats is far below that of the normal animals despite the presence of numerous follicles in the ovaries of the persistent-oestrous rats.
PREMATURE PARTURITION FOLLOWING DEXAMETHASONE ADMINISTRATION TO PREGNANT EWES
Authors: Fylling Petter
Published: December 2008

Various doses of dexamethasone were administered to pregnant sheep starting from the 133rd day of gestation. A daily dose of 6–10 mg caused a marked decrease in the peripheral plasma progesterone level and premature parturition occurred alter treatment for 4 to 5 days. A daily dose of 4 mg had no appreciable effect on plasma progesterone and premature parturition did not occur*.
PATHWAYS IN THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF ANDROGENS IN THE POSTMENOPAUSAL OVARY IN VITRO
Authors: Schenker J. G. , Polishuk W. Z. , Eckstein B.
Published: December 2008

Postmenopausal ovarian tissue homogenates were incubated with [7α-3H]-pregnenolone as substrate. In six independent incubations only androstenedione and testosterone were found. These androgens were isolated by column and thin-layer chromatography and identified by derivative formation and recrystallization to constant specific activity.

In one of the incubations, the homogenate was divided into 3 parts. From one part incubated with [7α-3H] pregnenolone, androstenedione and testosterone were identified. From the second and third parts of the homogenate which were incubated with [4-14C]progesterone and [4-14C] testosterone respectively, the substrates were recovered unmetabolized at the end of the incubation.

From these results it is deduced that the postmenopausal ovary can not aromatize androgens to oestrogens and that in this particular tissue the Δ5 pathway is the preferred route of androstenedione production.
EFFECT OF 17α-METHYL-β-NORTESTOSTERONE (SK & F 7690) ON THE BINDING IN VITRO OF 5α-DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE TO MACROMOLECULAR COMPONENTS FROM THE RAT VENTRAL PROSTATE
Authors: Tveter Kjell J.
Published: December 2008

Slices from prostate glands of castrated male rats were incubated with [3H] 5α-dihydrotestosterone in Eagle's tissue culture medium. The labelled androgen was associated with androphilic macromolecules both in the prostatic cytosol and the nuclei.

The addition of the anti-androgenic compound, 17α-methyl-β-nortestosterone (SK & F 7690) to the incubation medium inhibited the formation of the nuclear 5α-dihydrotestosterone-protein complex, and markedly reduced the cytosol 5α-dihydrotestosterone-protein complex. Likewise, the uptake of [3H] 5α-dihydrotestosterone by the prostatic nuclear fraction was reduced by about 40%.
GLUCOSE TOLERANCE AND IMMUNOREACTIVE INSULIN IN PATIENTS WITH PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA: THE EFFECT OF α-RECEPTOR BLOCKING AGENTS
Authors: Illig Ruth , Ziegler W. H.
Published: December 2008

Blood glucose, plasma insulin, free fatty acids and urinary noradrenaline were investigated in 5 patients with noradrenaline producing pheochromocytoma (4 adenomas, 1 metastatic tumour) and in 3 control subjects. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed before therapy, during treatment with the α-receptor blocking agent phenoxybenzamine, and in 4 patients after surgical removal of the tumour.

In the untreated pheochromocytoma patients, glucose curves were pathologically high; insulin secretion was low in relation to blood glucose levels or almost completely suppressed depending on the plasma noradrenaline concentrations. During phenoxybenzamine treatment glucose curves remained abnormal; insulin concentrations increased both in patients and control subjects. Six to 26 days after operation, glucose curves and insulin secretion became normal.

Fractionated urine collections revealed a fall in noradrenaline excretion after oral glucose load. The urinary excretion of noradrenaline increased when α-receptor blockade was effective.

The increased release of insulin under α-receptor blockade in patients and control subjects suggests that noradrenaline plays a role in the regulation of insulin secretion in normal conditions as well as in patients with pheochromocytoma.
THE EFFECT OF COPPER AND OTHER METALS ON SPERMATOGENESIS IN RATS
Authors: Zbuzkova V. , Kincl Fred A.
Published: December 2008

The presence of metal loops inserted into testes of maturing rats inhibited spermatogenesis. With the exception of cadmium the inhibition was thought to be non specific due to mechanical constriction resulting in ischaemia. In adult animals neither copper nor gold inhibited fertility when a small loop was inserted into both ducti deferens.
STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS OF ANTI-OESTROGENS WITH REGARD TO INTERACTION WITH 17β-OESTRADIOL IN THE MOUSE UTERUS AND VAGINA
Authors: Terenius Lars
Published: December 2008

Anti-oestrogenic substances have been studied systematically in order to get some guides about structure - activity relationships. The substances were tested in the mouse a) for uterotrophic and anti-uterotrophic activities and b) for their capacity to inhibit the uptake of 17β-oestradiol by the uterus and vagina in vitro. A few such in vitro experiments were also carried out in the rat.

Only MER-25 was completely devoid of any oestrogenic activity and was able to suppress oestrogenic stimulation completely. U-11,100A and CN-55,945 were partial agonists producing less than total oestrogen antagonism. MRL-37, DMS, meso-butoestrol, oestriol and ent-17β-oestradiol were impeded oestrogens, i. e., produced dose-response curves with shallow slopes. These compounds, except oestriol which was inactive, were weakly anti-uterotrophic. Cis- and trans-clomiphene, ICI-47,699 and ICI-46,474 which are also cis/trans isomers, WSM-4613 and U-11,555A showed no sign of anti-oestrogenic activity.

All the tested substances suppressed the binding of 17β-oestradiol to the mouse uterus and vagina. The impeded oestrogens were generally very potent. However, their inhibitory action was of short duration since they were easily washed out. The remaining compounds (dialkylamino-alkyl-ether derivatives) were generally very firmly bound to the target tissues, the binding being even firmer than that of the oestrogens 17β-oestradiol or meso-hexoestrol.

Possible mechanisms of actions of the two kinds of anti-oestrogens are presented. A model explaining the impeded uterotrophic response is also given.
THE EFFECT OF ADRENAL ARTERIAL INFUSION OF HYPERTONIC NaHCO3 SOLUTION ON ALDOSTERONE SECRETION IN SODIUM DEFICIENT SHEEP
Authors: Blair-West J. R. , Coghlan J. P. , Denton D. A. , Funder J. W. , Scoggins B. A. , Wright R. D.
Published: December 2008

Conscious trained sheep with adrenal autotransplants were allowed to become severely Na+ deficient by uncompensated salivary loss via a unilateral permanent parotid fistula. Hypertonic NaHCO3 was infused into the adrenal artery at concentrations and rates appropriate to locally change adrenal plasma (Na+), (K+) and (HCO3−) to Na+ replete levels without significant alteration of body Na+ status, or systemic ionic concentrations. After 2 hours of infusion aldosterone secretion rate was not significantly decreased; after 4–6 hours of infusion aldosterone secretion rate was significantly reduced but remained at levels appropriate for moderate to severe Na+ deficiency. The direct adrenal action of plasma ionic changes then, fails to explain the fall in secretion rate to close to Na replete levels which is seen over 2–6 hours after an animal rapidly corrects body Na+ deficit by drinking 2–3 1 of hypertonic NaHCO3 solution (300 mEq./l) – since the adrenal arterial infusion produced the same ionic changes as occur systemically after drinking adequate NaHCO3 to correct body Na+ deficit.
EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE ON SULPHATION FACTOR ACTIVITY IN SERUM OF HYPOPITUITARY SUBJECTS
Authors: Hall Kerstin
Published: December 2008

Human growth hormone (HGH) administered as an iv injection of 2–4 mg to hypopituitary patients induced a rise in the levels of sulphation factor (SF) in serum. The low basal levels of SF were not changed during the first hour after HGH injection. Not until three hours after injection, when HGH values approached basal values, there was a significant rise in SF. The mean difference of SF at one and at three hours after HGH injection was 0.52 ± 0.11.
GONADOTROPHIC ACTIVITY IN THE PITUITARY AND URINE OF THE MALE RABBIT AFTER OXYTOCIN TREATMENT
Authors: Melin Per
Published: December 2008

The effects of treatment with synthetic oxytocin on the urinary and pituitary gonadotrophins in male rabbits were evaluated. Oxytocin was injected twice (2 × 1 IU per kg body weight) every third day for a period of 18 days. The amounts of total urinary gonadotrophins were significantly increased for 1–3 days after each day of oxytocin injection. The total pituitary gonadotrophins and FSH were reduced to about 20% of the control values, 2 hours after the last of the oxytocin injections.
THYROID STIMULATORS AND THYROID STIMULATION
Authors: Burke Gerald
Published: December 2008

A long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS), distinct from pituitary thyrotrophin (TSH), is found in the serum of some patients with Graves' disease. Despite the marked physico-chemical and immunologic differences between the two stimulators, both in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that LATS and TSH act on the same thyroidal site(s) and that such stimulation does not require penetration of the thyroid cell. Although resorption of colloid and secretion of thyroid hormone are early responses to both TSH and LATS, available evidence reveals no basic metabolic pathway which must be activated by these hormones in order for iodination reactions to occur. Cyclic 3′, 5′-AMP appears to mediate TSH and LATS effects on iodination reactions but the role of this compound in activating thyroidal intermediary metabolism is less clear. Based on the evidence reviewed herein, it is suggested that the primary site of action of thyroid stimulators is at the cell membrane and that beyond the(se) primary control site(s), there exists a multifaceted regulatory system for thyroid hormonogenesis and cell growth.
ANALYSIS OF A DEXAMETHASONE / CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN TEST OF ADRENO-GONADAL FUNCTION IN NORMAL MEN AS COMPARED WITH DEXAMETHASONE TEST IN NORMAL WOMEN
Authors: Johnsen Svend G. , Christiansen Peter , Frandsen V. Aasted , Frøland Anders , Nielsen Jan
Published: December 2008

42 normal men aged 20–40 years were subjected to a functional test involving chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) stimulation performed during dexamethasone suppression of the adrenals and with determinations of urinary androgen and oestrogen metabolites. For comparison, dexamethasone suppression was performed in 21 normal women aged 20–40 years. Steroids of adrenal origin were determined as the difference of values before and during dexamethasone suppression, and testicular reserve capacity as the difference before and after HCG. Furthermore, some ratios between steroids were calculated, and a total of 27 steroid parameters were obtained. Normal means and normal limits are given for all these parameters. All parameters were subjected to mutual correlation analyses. These showed, among several other findings, the following: Leydig cell reserve capacity for androgen falls significantly with age; adrenal and gonadal sex hormone productions are independent of each other in men but not in women; men have a significant adrenal androgen production which is not related to the adrenal production of dehydroepiandrosterone; testicular reserve capacity is not correlated with the spontaneous testicular steroid production; a high correlation exists between dehydroepiandrosterone and oestrogen excretion in men; the testicular reserve capacities for androgen and oestrogen are completely independent of each other. From these and other findings, sex hormone relationships and particularly the origin of oestrogens in men are discussed.
PRODUCTION OF ATP IN LEUKOCYTE MITOCHONDRIA FROM HYPERTHYROID PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT WITH A β-ADRENERGIC BLOCKER AND ANTITHYROID DRUGS
Authors: Jemelin M. , Frei J. , Scazziga B.
Published: December 2008

The aerobic production of adenosine-triphosphate in leukocyte mitochondria from hyperthyroid patients was measured with an enzymatic method to detect firstly differences between normal and hyperthyroid subjects, and secondly differences between non-treated and treated hyperthyroid patients. The treatment consisted of either a β-adrenergic blocker or an antithyroid drug. Adenosine-triphosphate production is significantly decreased in hyperthyroidism and increases after treatment but does not reach the normal levels.
OESTRIOL METABOLISM IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Authors: Goebelsmann U. , Jaffe R. B.
Published: December 2008

A combination of 3H-labelled oestriol (OE3) and 14C-labelled oestriol-16-glucosiduronate (OE3-16Gl) was infused over 6 hours to two women at midpregnancy. The urinary metabolites were isolated, quantitated and identified. Some 90% of the tritiated and about 98% of the 14C-labelled material administered was recovered from urine specimens collected for 48 hours.

About 63% of the 3H-labelled material recovered was found to be OE3-16Gl, some 29% oestriol-3-glucosiduronate (OE3-3Gl), approximately 5% oestriol-3-sulphate-16-glucosiduronate (OE3-3S,16Gl) and about 3% oestriol-3-sulphate (OE3-3S). From the 14C-labelled material recovered, approximately 72% was isolated as OE3-16Gl, about 25% as OE3-3Gl, some 3% as OE3-3S,16Gl and only a minute portion was found to be OE3-3S. No unconjugated labelled material was found to be excreted. All the 3H- and 14C-labelled material isolated as OE3-16Gl was identified as such; no oestriol-17-glucosiduronate could be detected.

The urinary excretion of endogenous oestriol conjugates also was measured and found to vary over 24 hours. Their per cent distribution agreed well with that of the 3H-labelled conjugates in both cases.

This study confirms and completes our previous studies on OE3-16Gl, OE3-3S, OE3-3Gl and OE3-3S,16Gl metabolism in pregnant women. A scheme is presented, delineating the quantitative aspects of OE3 metabolism. The data indicate that circulating OE3-16Gl is formed from circulating OE3 at 77% of the rate at which OE3 enters the circulation. The urinary excretion rate of circulating OE3-16Gl was calculated to be 55% of its rate of entry into the circulation. These findings suggest that renal clearance mechanisms, rather than the rate of 16-glucosiduronation, are a rate limiting factor in the disposition of oestriol in pregnancy.
METABOLISM OF STEROIDS IN FLUOROSIS
Authors: Tokar V. I. , Potapenko O. V. , Naugolnikh E. Z.
Published: December 2008

The oestrone loading test was carried out on fifteen patients suffering from fluorine liver damage. Three pattern curves of the oestrogen fraction (oestrone, 17β-oestradiol and oestriol) excretion in the urine were established. Our data show that there were disturbances in oestrogen metabolism in patients with fluorine liver damage.
EFFECTS OF NEONATALLY INJECTED NON-ESTERIFIED TESTOSTERONE ON REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS IN FEMALE RATS
Authors: Alklint T. , Norgren A.
Published: December 2008

The effect of 1.5 mg testosterone (T) given to neonatal rats of various ages was compared with that of 1.5 mg testosterone propionate (Tp) injected into 5 day old rats.

Androgenization of the rats was obtained:

with Tp in 100 per cent,

with T on day 2 in 79 per cent,

with T on day 5 in 50 per cent,

with T on day 10 in 18 per cent,

with a double dose of T on day 5 in 61 per cent,

with T on day 5 and 10 in 100 per cent.

The results emphasize the importance of the duration of action of the preparation given. The possibility is considered that a minimal exposure time of more than a few hours is required to produce androgenization of 5 day old female rats.
IN VITRO UPTAKE AND BREAKDOWN OF TRITIATED LYSINE-VASOPRESSIN BY BOVINE NEUROHYPOPHYSEAL AND CORTICAL TISSUE
Authors: Pliška V. , Thorn N. A. , Vilhardt H.
Published: December 2008

Pieces of tissue from the neurohypophysis and parietal cortex of cows were incubated in a modified Locke solution containing specifically tritiated lysine-vasopressin (LVP).

After incubation, the uptake of radioactivity associated with LVP, 2 peptide split products and tyrosine as well as radioactivity in TCA insoluble proteins was determined. Thin-layer chromatography was used to identify the intact hormone and its split products.

The total radioactivity as well as the radioactivity associated with LVP and the aminopeptidase-split products increased much more rapidly in the neurohypophysis than in the cortex.

The tissue to medium ratio of radioactivity for LVP and the aminopeptidase-split products quickly became greater than one in the neurohypophysis, whereas it remained below one in the cortex.

Radioactivity associated with TCA insoluble proteins quickly appeared. The temperature dependence of the appearance of radioactivity in LVP and the aminopeptidase-split products in both the neurohypophysis and the cortex was complicated, whereas the appearance of radioactivity in tyrosine increased with temperature in a simple manner.
PROLAKTIN-KONZENTRATIONEN IM MENSCHLICHEN PLASMA WÄHREND SCHWANGERSCHAFT UND WOCHENBETT
Authors: Berle P. , Apostolakis M.
Published: December 2008

Plasma prolactin concentrations were measured during pregnancy by the local pigeon crop test. The levels were between 0 and 3 IU/100 ml plasma up to the 24th week of gestation. There was no elevation of the prolactin plasma levels between the 24th week and the 40th of gestation. The prolactin concentration during the second half of pregnancy ranged between 2 and 7 IU/100 ml plasma. It was suggested that the biological prolactin activity measured during pregnancy is not identical either with the human growth hormone or with the placental lactogen hormone. A calculation comparing the levels of HCG and placental lactogen excluded in the authors' opinion the identity of those hormones with the biological prolactin activity. The prolactin concentration decreased in the plasma during labour and increased in the following 4 days post partum. After this post partum peak the plasma prolactin concentration fell to a value below 1 IU/100 ml plasma. In the late puerperium – 4 to 6 weeks after delivery – it was possible to measure plasma prolactin levels in women with a normal lactation around a mean value of only 1 IU/100 ml. Obviously prolactin does not play an important role for the maintenance of lactation whereas the striking rise of the plasma prolactin concentration in the following 4 days post partum could mean a possible function for the initiation of lactation.
URINE EXCRETION OF INSULIN AND GROWTH HORMONE IN SUBJECTS WITH RENAL FAILURE
Authors: Lowy C. , Wright A. D. , Fraser T. Russell , Rubenstein A. H. , Spitz I.
Published: December 2008

Fifty g oral glucose tolerance tests were performed on 25 subjects with chronic renal failure, 8 with the nephrotic syndrome and 6 recovering from acute renal failure. Urine was collected during a basal overnight period and during the glucose tolerance test and immunoreactive growth hormone (GH) and insulin were determined in serum and urine. Sixteen acromegalic subjects with normal renal function were also studied since unlike insulin, GH could not be measured in unconcentrated urine in healthy control subjects. Insulin and GH clearances were markedly elevated in chronic renal failure and in patients recovering from acute renal failure, but raised in 3 subjects only with the nephrotic syndrome. In spite of this marked elevation of clearance in chronic renal failure patients, in any one subject insulin and GH clearance remained relatively constant. There was a correlation between insulin clearance and GH clearance during the glucose tolerance test, indicating that the patients with the higher insulin clearances also had the raised GH clearances. Since a common path of degradation of GH and insulin has not been demonstrated the results suggest that changes in tubular cell transport are responsible.

GH clearance in uncomplicated acromegalic subjects was about 1/50 of the insulin clearance in healthy controls. This ratio fell to unity in patients with very severe chronic renal failure with creatinine clearances of 2 ml/min. In 2 patients with creatinine clearances of less than 2 ml/min the insulin and GH clearance approached the creatinine clearance, suggesting that GH and insulin in the glomerular filtrate were not reabsorbed by the proximal tubule. Since normal renal clearances of insulin and GH are so low and clearance changes so dramatically in renal failure, measurement of these hormones may provide a useful and simple assessment of proximal tubular function.
125I-LABELLING OF ANGIOTENSIN I AND II
Authors: Nielsen Meta Damkjær , Jørgensen Mogens , Giese Jørn
Published: December 2008

A simple procedure for a reproducible preparation of radioiodinated angiotensin analogues is described. The iodination is performed at a low level of radioactivity – 200 μCi per 10 μg peptide – with low concentrations of chloramine-T and sodium metabisulphite. No destruction of the peptide occurs during the iodination. The yield is high, and the only purification step needed is a separation of iodinated peptide from non-labelled peptide. This separation is performed by means of column chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A 25.

The specific activity of labelled angiotensin I or II prepared by this method was about 500 μCi/μg. The homogeneity of the radioiodinated angiotensin analogues was established by means of paper chromatography and enzymatic degradation studies, including experiments on the enzymatic conversion of 125I-angiotensin I to 125I-angiotensin II. Radiochromatograms obtained after storage for various periods showed perfect stability of the labelled compounds. Immunological characteristics, as evaluated by standard displacement curves with selected antisera and maximal binding to excess antibody, were reproducible from batch to batch.
FRACTIONATION OF 3–8S IODOCOMPOUNDS OF THE RAT THYROID
Authors: Spira O. , Gordon A. , Gross J.
Published: December 2008

A dialyzable iodocompound found in the rat thyroid was the only 125I labelled compound apart from iodide, which was present in PTU blocked glands. On chromatography of the compound the 125I was recovered as iodide only. The compound could also be labelled by in vitro incubation of 125I with the unlabelled 105 000 × g supernatant of the rat thyroid. The compound was shown to incorporate 3H-Leucine and was therefore considered to be a peptide. NaSCN and KCIO4 could not displace iodide from its bond with the peptide. It is suggested that this compound should be called thyroidal iodide-binding peptide (TIP).
ANTIGONADOTROPHIC PROFILE OF ANTISERA AGAINST HUMAN GONADOTROPHIN PREPARATIONS
Authors: Petrusz P. , Robyn C. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) and human hypophysial gonadotrophin (HHG) preparations were assayed by two bioassay methods for their HCG or luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) activities and by two bioimmunoassay techniques for their anti-HCG neutralizing and anti-FSH neutralizing potencies. The immunological activities measured by bioimmunoassays were expressed in anti-anti-units (AAU) according to Petrusz et al. (1971a).

Seven of the HCG preparations tested showed a good correlation between their HCG, FSH-like and anti-FSH neutralizing activities. An increase of 1000 IU/mg in the specific HCG activity was usually associated with an increase of 1 IU equivalent of FSH-like activity and with an increase of 100 AAU of the anti-FSH neutralizing potency. Four HCG preparations did not contain any detectable FSH-like activity; also these preparations neutralized high amounts of anti-FSH antibodies. Two highly purified HCG preparations possessed a much lower anti-FSH neutralizing potency than was expected on the basis of their specific HCG activities. These observations seem to indicate that some of the components responsible for the cross-reaction with FSH can be removed from HCG preparations by physico-chemical methods.

The anti-HCG neutralizing potencies of partially purified HCG preparations agreed fairly well with their biological activities. In highly purified HCG preparations the biological activity exceeded 2 to 5 times the anti-HCG neutralizing potency.

The anti-FSH and anti-HCG neutralizing potencies of HMG preparations having FSH/LH ratios close to unity were very similar to their biological FSH and LH activities, respectively. One LH preparation, purified from HMG and lacking detectable biological FSH activity, exhibited a high anti-FSH neutralizing potency.

The anti-HCG neutralizing and anti-FSH neutralizing activities of the two HHG preparations tested were some 3 to 5 times more than their biological LH and FSH activities, respectively.

It is concluded that the biological purity of human gonadotrophin preparations has little relevance to their immunological purity.
KOHLENHYDRATSTOFFWECHSEL BEI HYPERTHYREOSE: EINFLUSS EINER THYREOSTATISCHEN THERAPIE AUF ORALE UND INTRAVENÖSE GLUCOSETOLERANZ UND INSULINAKTIVITÄT
Authors: Nieschlag E. , Wördehoff B. , Gilfrich H. J. , Michaelis J. , Overzier C.
Published: December 2008

The influence of antithyroid therapy on the abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism observed in hyperthyroidism was investigated in 10 patients. No history of diabetes mellitus was known in the patients or their families. 9 normal persons were taken as a control group. An oral and an intravenous glucose tolerance test were administered prior to and at intervals of 2 and 4 weeks after initiation of therapy. Prior to treatment an inpairment of oral glucose tolerance was observed, whereas the glucose assimilation coefficient in the intravenous glucose tolerance test was normal. Both tests however, revealed a significant rise in insulin values above normal. 2 weeks after initiation of therapy insulin values returned to normal during the intravenous glucose tolerance test. During the oral glucose tolerance test glucose and insulin concentration achieved normal levels only after 4 weeks of treatment. In all patients the abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism observed were reversible.
DIE ÖSTROGEN- UND PREGNANDIOLAUSSCHEIDUNG BEI HCG-PSEUDOGRAVIDITÄTEN UND NACHFOLGENDEN NORMALEN FRÜHGRAVIDITÄTEN
Authors: Kaiser R. , Geiger W.
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion of oestradiol. oestrone, oestriol and pregnanediol was determined in three women during HCG-induced pseudopregnancies and during normal early pregnancies in two of these cases. Until the last day of HCG injection, i. e. the 22nd day after ovulation in both the normal pregnancies and the pseudopregnancies, the excretion of these steroids was nearly identical. Compared with the corpus luteum period of the cycle the increase of oestrogens was about 150% and of pregnanediol about 100%.

A further twofold increase of oestrogens in normal pregnancies was noticed within the fourth week after ovulation, and this augmentation was referred to the additional steroid production of the trophoblast. Nevertheless the relation oestradiol:oestrone:oestriol remains the same until the 34th day after ovulation. In the same time, the excretion of pregnanediol in normal pregnancies increased very slowly and did not exceed the highest values of HCG pseudopregnancies.
THE LIMITATIONS OF USING MOUSE UTERINE WEIGHT AS AN ASSAY OF OESTROGEN ANTAGONISM
Authors: Lee Audrey E.
Published: December 2008

Oestrogen antagonists were tested by subcutaneous injection for their ability to reduce the weight of uteri of ovariectomized mice continuously stimulated by drinking a solution of oestrone. Only a limited weight reduction was achieved, even with high doses or repeated injections of the antagonists. This limitation could not be accounted for by the uterotrophic action of the antagonists themselves. The narrow range of weight reduction, together with the variability of the animals, made assays of relative activity unsatisfactory.
THE SITE OF PROGESTERONE PRODUCTION IN EARLY PREGNANCY
Authors: Holmdahl Tore H:son , Johansson Elof D. B. , Wide Leif
Published: December 2008

The disappearance of progesterone* and HCG from the plasma was measured following therapeutic abortions in 17 patients from the seventh to the sixteenth week of pregnancy. Between the seventh and the twelfth week of gestation the evacuation of the uterine contents was performed by vacuum aspiration, and from the thirteenth week onwards abdominal hysterotomy was performed. Plasma progesterone was assayed using a competitive protein binding technique, while plasma HCG was determined by a radioimmunosorbent assay. After the evacuation of the uterine contents in the early pregnancy cases (weeks 7–8) the plasma levels of progesterone remained elevated much longer than in the later stages of pregnancy (weeks 12–16), thus suggesting that the corpus luteum graviditatis was the main source of progesterone in the first group, while in the last group the placenta was the main source of progesterone production. When comparing the earlier and later cases of pregnancy, the disappearance rate of plasma HCG remained essentially unaltered. From the results obtained, it seems likely that the transition from the ovarian to the placental production of progesterone occurs during the ninth to eleventh weeks of pregnancy.
VASOPRESSIN IN THE DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF PITUITARY AND HYPOTHALAMIC FUNCTION
Authors: Toft H. , Buus O. , Nielsen E.
Published: December 2008

An attempt has been made to determine the value of the vasopressin test as measured by the increase in 11-OHCS by comparison with the metyrapone test in 17 patients with verified pituitary and hypothalamic diseases. The normal response to vasopressin was investigated in 15 normal subjects and found to give a minimum increase of 8 μg/100 ml. Our data suggest that the vasopressin test cannot be used as a diagnostic test in patients with suspected abnormalities of pituitary-adrenal function. Our findings in the two patients with hypothalamic disturbances could support the theory that hypothalamic and pituitary diseases can be distinguished by means of the vasopressin and metyrapone tests, since these two patients had a normal vasopressin test and an abnormal response to metyrapone. However, the same combination of results was also found in three patients with pituitary disturbances.
KINETIK UND CHARAKTERISIERUNG DER ÖSTRADIOLSENSITIVEN 17β-HYDROXYSTEROIDDEHYDROGENASEN IN DER MENSCHLICHEN LEBER
Authors: Littmann K.-P. , Gerdes H. , Winter G.
Published: December 2008

NAD+- and NADP + -linked 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases from human liver preparations are able to convert 17β-oestradiol to oestrone as well as testosterone to androstenedione without any substrate specificity. The NAD + -sensitive enzyme occurs in the microsomal fraction (14 % of the total activity) and in the soluble fraction (86 % of the total activity). The pH of maximum activity was 10.3. The Km value for 17β-oestradiol was 3.5 × 10−6 Mol/l in the microsomal and 9.8 × 10−6 Mol/l in the soluble fraction. In contrast the NADP + -linked 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was only present in the soluble fraction with a pH-optimum at 9.8 and a Km for 17β-oestradiol of 5.1 × 10−6 Mol/l. Both NAD+-and NADP+-sensitive enzymes reached maximum activity at 45°C.

These data indicate that 17β-hydroxy-C18-steroid dehydrogenases from human placenta and human pregnant blood serum which can be used as a test in late pregnancy are different from those of human liver.
QUANTITATIVE ASSAY OF THE SUPPRESSIVE EFFECT OF SYNTHETIC CORTICOIDS IN MAN
Authors: Boss N. , Kluge F. , Müller O. A. , Pickardt C. R. , Scriba P. C.
Published: December 2008

The suppressive effect of synthetic corticoids on the human hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis was analyzed by determining the integral differences of the circadian serum cortisol levels between control subjects (N = 25) and subjects receiving different single oral doses of prednisolone (N = 29) or fluocortolone (N = 36). Linear log dose-response curves were obtained by this procedure with the indices of precision for prednisolone of λ = 0.221 and for fluocortolone of λ = 0.149. With this method it is possible to compare the suppressive effect of different corticoids. The relative suppressive potency of corticoids should not be expressed by ratios or factors, but rather by log dose-response curves of the type: response = b · log dose ± a.
INFLUENCE OF LATE GESTATION AND EARLY PUERPERIUM ON LIPID AND CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN NORMAL FEMALES
Authors: Becker H. , Berle P. , Wallé A. , Voigt K. D.
Published: December 2008

In 20 normal females various parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were determined 4 weeks before and 3 and 7 days after delivery. Compared with normal values, in late pregnancy the blood levels of pyruvate, lactate, total lipids, glycerid-glycerol, total glycerol, and free fatty acids were found significantly higher. In puerperium all parameters returned to normal values with the exception of total lipids and free fatty acids which were still elevated at the end of the observation period. Glucose was found in normal range during pregnancy and on the 7th day of puerperium, but on the 3rd day after delivery a significant decrease was observed. The data of this investigation were compared with the results obtained under oral contraceptive treatment. In principal there is a good agreement between the results found during late pregnancy and data obtained under oral contraceptive treatment, the alteration in pregnancy being, however, more marked.
THE EFFECT OF FOETAL REMOVAL ON THE BLOOD PRESSURE IN STEROID HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Moore H. C. , Borvendeg J. , Wilson K.
Published: December 2008

In unilaterally nephrectomized hypertensive rats receiving DOCA, cortisone and saline the blood pressure falls after the removal of the foetuses as though the animals continued to be pregnant with the foetuses in situ. On the other hand, when the foetuses are removed from steroid hypertensive animals in which the maternal kidneys remain intact the blood pressure remains at hypertensive levels. The metrial gland part of the placenta appears histologically viable after foetal removal.

We conclude from the present and earlier experiments that the usual hypotensive effect of pregnancy in hypertensive animals is due to a vasodepressor agent produced by the foetuses and the metrial gland moiety of the placenta and that the activity of this agent is subject to maternal renal function.

A relation between these experiments and human pregnancy hypertension is not clear but we suggest that in human pregnancy, hypertension could be due either to failure of the foetoplacental vasodepressor or vasodilator agent or to destruction or excretion of this agent by the maternal kidney.
INKUBATIONSVERSUCHE MIT EINEM ANTIHUMAN-PROLAKTIN
Authors: Berle P. , Apostolakis M.
Published: December 2008

Prolactin levels were found in human plasma during physiological and pathological lactation. The biological activity was measured by means of a modified method of the local pigeon crop test by Grosvenor & Turner (1958). The biological activity found in these cases could be neutralized by an antihuman prolactin. This antibody which was not purified by incubation against the serum of hypophysectomized women was received by immunization of rabbits with a prolactin extract of human pituitaries without any albumin contaminations. These experiments may show that the biological prolactin activity containing in the hypophyseal extracts is not an artefact of the extraction procedure. The high plasma-prolactin concentration in pathological lactation without any acromegalic symptoms could be a further argument for the hypothesis that also in man prolactin and growth hormone could be isolated proteohormones.
KINETICS OF 3H-TESTOSTERONE METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE: EFFECTS OF OESTROGEN ADMINISTRATION
Authors: Bird C. E. , Green R. N. , Calandra R. S. , Connolly J. G. , Clark A. F.
Published: December 2008

We studied the effects of oestrogen administration on the kinetics of testosterone metabolism in patients with prostatic carcinoma. We investigated changes in the metabolic clearance rate, transport and metabolic rate constants and volumes of distribution. In all patients but one, the metabolic clearance rate and volumes of distribution were low during oestrogen administration. The beneficial effect of oestrogen therapy in patients with prostatic carcinoma may be related to the increase in the rate of testosterone metabolism (K2) within a smaller volume of distribution (V1).
EFFECT OF SEX HORMONES ON THE METABOLISM OF COLLAGEN AND 45CA BY THE BONES OF YOUNG GONADECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: Kowalewski K. , Heron F. , Russell J. C.
Published: December 2008

Collagen and calcium metabolism in long bones of young gonadectomized rats was studied using a double radioisotope labelling method. Rats were treated, or not, for 20 days with testosterone propionate (TP) or oestrone (Oe). 14C-proline was used in the labelling of bone collagen and the conversion of proline to hydroxyproline was taken as an index of collagen synthesis. The content and specific activity of hydroxyproline in serum and urine were also determined. 45Ca was used in the labelling of bone calcium and the changes in 45Ca content in the bone were used as a measure of mineral accretion in the skeleton. Serum and urine were also studied for calcium content and specific activity.

The overall results suggest that both sex hormones used had significant anabolizing action on bone collagen and calcium. These hormones enhanced the synthesis and breakdown of collagen and the deposition of calcium in the bones. The action of TP was much more marked than the action of Oe under the conditions of the present experiment.