bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DISPARITY BETWEEN THE STATES OF PSEUDOPREGNANCY INDUCED BY RESERPINE AND BY CERVICAL STIMULATION IN THE RAT
Authors: Kisch E. S.
Published: December 2008

The states of pseudopregnancy induced by electrical stimulation of the cervix uteri or by injection of reserpine were compared. Pseudopregnancy induced by either method can be interrupted by the administration of ergocornine, resulting in a return to oestrus. When the pseudopregnancy is induced by electrical stimulation, this oestrus is followed in about 70 % of cases by a secondary pseudopregnancy: the stimulus for the induction of the initial pseudopregnancy seems to be »remembered« in the central nervous system. This phenomenon of secondary pseudopregnancy could not be elicited in animals treated with reserpine only. The findings point to a different central mode of action of the two methods of prolonging luteal function.
EFFECTS OF SYNTHETIC PYROGLUTAMYL-HISTIDYL-PROLINE-AMIDE ON SERUM LEVELS OF THYROTROPHIN, CORTISOL, GROWTH HORMONE, INSULIN AND PBI IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND PATIENTS WITH PITUITARY AND THYROID DISORDERS
Authors: Karlberg Bengt , Almqvist Sven , Werner Sigbritt
Published: December 2008

Effects of single rapid iv injections of synthetic pyroglutamyl-histidyl-proline amide (TRH) in doses of 100 and 200 μg in nine normal subjects and patients with pituitary and thyroid disorders were evaluated by clinical observation and serial measurements of serum levels of human thyrotrophin (HTSH), cortisol, growth hormone (STH), insulin and PBI. An onset of fatigue was observed in about half of the patients six to eight hours after the injection of TRH and lasted several hours.

A rise in serum HTSH was detectable within 10 min after the administration of 100 μg of TRH in all normal subjects, reaching a maximum in 15 min in seven of these nine individuals and at 30 and 120 min in two subjects; and then gradually decreased over the next two hours, when the mean level was still above the baseline. Three of nine time courses of serum HTSH showed two peaks, a first at 5 to 15 min and a second at 30 to 120 min. Increases in serum PBI were measurable within 120 min after TRH.

Multiple effects of TRH on HTSH, cortisol and STH levels in serum were found in six of nine normal subjects. The percentage increases were frequently larger for STH than for HTSH levels and the effect was heterogeneous on the time courses of these two hormones.

An increase in serum HTSH occurred in four untreated patients with acromegaly, and a slow and prolonged response in two of three patients with primary hypothyroidism after 200 μg of TRH. One woman with Sheehan's syndrome showed no rise in serum HTSH at 100 μg of TRH but a moderate rise at 200 μg of TRH. Another patient with an operated chromophobe adenoma and panhypopituitarism responded normally to 100 μg of TRH.

Clinical studies involving the use of various synthetic derivatives of TRH are needed to evaluate the clinical response of the tripeptide.
GASCHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF STEROIDS IN THE URINE OF PATIENTS WITH CUSHING'S SYNDROME
Authors: Moolenaar A. J. , van Seters A. P.
Published: December 2008

The 17-oxosteroids were estimated in the urine of 27 patients with Cushing's syndrome by gas-liquid chromatography (G. L. C.). The values of the various steroid fractions are compared with those of normal subjects, patients with thyrotoxicosis and obese subjects. The effect of the age of the patients on the diagnostic value of the invidual 17-oxosteroids and their ratios is discussed.
EFFECTS OF PROGESTERONE ON THE SERUM LEVELS OF FSH AND LH IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN TREATED WITH OESTROGEN
Authors: Nillius Sven Johan , Wide Leif
Published: December 2008

The effect on the serum levels of FSH and LH after the intramuscular administration of 10 or 100 mg progesterone in oil was studied in twenty postmenopausal women. Immunoreactive FSH and LH in the serum were assayed by a radioimmunosorbent technique.

The administration of progesterone alone to ten women did not result in any major changes in the serum levels of the gonadotrophins. Ethinyloestradiol in an oral dose of 100 μg daily to the other ten women significantly decreased the high postmenopausal levels of gonadotrophins. After four weeks of treatment levels usually seen in women of fertile age were found. The relative decrease for FSH was greater than for LH. When 10 mg progesterone was administered after four weeks of oestrogen treatment, an increase in the serum levels of LH was found in all the six women studied associated with a sharp conspicuous LH peak in four of them. There was also a small increase in the serum levels of FSH. After the larger dose of progesterone, i. e. 100 mg, only one of five women showed an LH peak combined with a minor FSH increase. In the other four subjects, there was only a minor increase in the serum levels of LH which was not of the same magnitude as that found with the 10 mg dose. The FSH levels were, if anything, decreased.

It thus appears that progesterone in low doses was more effective in inducing a release of gonadotrophins in postmenopausal women treated with oestrogen. This suggests that in this experimental situation progesterone does not act as an »antioestrogen[« and that this hormone, particularly in low doses, has a stimulating or facilitating effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary system.
URINARY TESTOSTERONE GLUCURONIDE AS A MEASURE OF ENDOGENOUS TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION
Authors: Goldzieher Joseph W. , Williams Mary C.
Published: December 2008

It is generally assumed that urinary excretion of testosterone glucuronide (TG) represents a relatively constant fraction (about 1 %) of the circulating testosterone which is metabolized. For this urinary TG to be a reliable indicator of testosterone production, the constancy of the fractional conversion of endogenous testosterone to urinary TG must be validated. Small changes in a low fractional conversion would induce large errors in the estimate of endogenous production. Following intravenous injection of [4-14C] testosterone, the per cent of the injected material found in the testosterone glucuronide fraction of a 48 hour urine collection was determined in several groups of subjects. In eight males the value ranged from 0.80 to 2.34%; in ten normal females from 0.26 to 0.84%; and in fifteen hirsute females from 0.05 to 0.80 %, a 16-fold difference. It is concluded that the assessment of endogenous testosterone production from urinary TG is materially influenced by changes in fractional conversion, and this introduces a very large degree of unreliability in the interpretation of urinary TG excretion data.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PHYSICO-CHEMICAL IMMUNOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN
Authors: Matthies D. L. , Petrusz P. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

Purified human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) preparations were chromatographed on Sephadex G-100 and the distribution of the hormone on the chromatogram was studied by an immunological test and by bioassay. Each preparation studied showed evidence of inhomogeneity in terms of the degree to which it was retarded on the gel bed, but the type of inhomogeneity was variable. By the use of gel filtration chromatography it was possible to separate HCG molecules devoid of detectable follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-like activity from molecules which possessed FSH-like activity. Evidence is presented which indicates that at least some physico-chemical manipulations utilized in the purification of HCG from urine may introduce artifacts.
PLASMA RENIN ACTIVITY AND ALDOSTERONE EXCRETION DURING PROLONGED PROGESTERONE ADMINISTRATION
Authors: Sundsfjord Johan A.
Published: December 2008

Four young men were given suppositories of 100 mg progesterone five times daily for nine consecutive days. During the last four days 12 g salt was added in divided doses.

The plasma renin activity and plasma progesterone and aldosterone excretion were investigated. The plasma progesterone varied within a range of 4.5–29 ng/ml, when progesterone was administered. The plasma renin activity rose significantly (P < 0.05) on the second, third and fifth day of progesterone administration, and fell significantly (P < 0.05) on the fourth day of salt loading. Aldosterone excretion rose gradually from the first day of progesterone administration to reach significantly higher values on the third, fourth and sixth day. During salt loading, the aldosterone excretion fell significantly (P < 0.005) from the first day onwards, even when compared with the control values found before progesterone administration.

A highly significant (P < 0.001) coefficient of correlation between plasma renin activity and aldosterone excretion was found throughout the investigation period. The same significant degree of correlation was found between the plasma renin activity and progesterone and between aldosterone excretion and plasma progesterone during the period before the sodium loading.

The possible causal relationship between these parameters is discussed.
INVESTIGATION OF PITUITARY-ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION IN THE ELDERLY DURING STANDARDIZED OPERATIONS AND POSTOPERATIVE INTRAVENOUS METYRAPONE TEST ASSESSED BY PLASMA CORTISOL, PLASMA COMPOUND S AND EOSINOPHIL CELL DETERMINATIONS
Authors: Jensen H. Kaalund , Blichert-Toft M.
Published: December 2008

Twenty elderly subjects with an average age of 73.0 years (range 66–82) underwent standardized surgery (laparotomies). Thirteen younger subjects with an average age of 45.4 years (range 23–58) served as controls. Changes in plasma cortisol, plasma compound S and eosinophil cell count were checked throughout the first 24 hours after surgery. A maximum increase in the plasma cortisol concentration exceeding the spontaneous initial value by 150 and 110 per cent respectively was observed, in the young and elderly subjects. An insignificant rise only was seen in the plasma compound S concentration. The eosinophil cell count fell to less than 50 n/μl. The variations in the three parameters, observed in the geriatric group, indicate a less marked response to surgical stress although no evidence was found for the existence of any significant age difference. Between the fourth and eighth postoperative day, an intravenous metyrapone test was carried out in 13 elderly and 10 young subjects. The changes in the concentration of plasma cortisol and plasma compound S and in the eosinophil cell count were recorded. When exposed to an apparently identical stimulation of the feedback system during the postoperative phase, the elderly patients showed a much greater response than that seen in the younger patients. The possibility that the pituitary-adrenal system in the elderly develops a higher sensitivity following repeated exposures to stress, is discussed.

Exhaustion of the pituitary-adrenal system during the postoperative phase was not demonstrated in the elderly.
ENZYMOLOGISCHE STUDIEN AM ARRHENOBLASTOM
Authors: Brandau H. , Brandau L.
Published: December 2008

In an arrhenoblastoma of a 24 years old female patient the enzyme activities of the intermediary carbonhydrate metabolism, the citric acid cycle, the glycerophosphate cycle, the pentose-phosphate shunt as well as the steroid-dehydrogenases were measured quantitatively and localized histochemically. The striking high activities of the glycolytic enzymes, the presence of steroid-dehydrogenases and the only moderately increased enzyme activities of the citric acid cycle in comparison with the stroma ovarii identify the arrhenoblastoma as a tissue with steroid hormonal metabolism. High activities of the mentioned enzymes and especially the activities of the steroid-dehydrogenases were localized histochemically only in Leydig-cell-like cells. Therefore these cells may be considered as structures of steroid-biogenesis. The enzyme activity pattern of the steroiddehydrogenases illuminates the biogenetic pathways of androgens. The low activities of the 17β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase in this tissue in comparison with other steroid producing tissues indicate a special testosterone metabolism.
DETECTION OF AN ACTH-SECRETING BRONCHIAL CARCINOID TUMOUR EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER ADRENALECTOMY FOR CUSHING'S SYNDROME
Authors: Vingerhoeds A. C. M. , der Kinderen P. J. , Thijssen J. H. H. , Schwarz F.
Published: December 2008

A patient is described in whom an ACTH-producing bronchial carcinoid tumour was found eighteen months after bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome. A critical review is given of laboratory methods used in the differential diagnosis of ectopic Cushing's syndrome. Finally a course of action is suggested by which such unnecessary ablative surgery might be avoided.
UPTAKE OF 3H-CORTISOL BY RABBIT POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES IN VITRO
Authors: Simonsson Bengt
Published: December 2008

The in vitro uptake of 3H-cortisol by rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was studied. The 3H-cortisol concentration in the incubation medium was 1 ng/ml. By adding non-radioactive cortisol to the medium the 3H-cortisol uptake could be depressed, indicating a saturable component in the uptake. At 37°C the uptake was maximal within 10 minutes. The uptake was also depressed by progesterone, 17α-OH-progesterone, corticosterone and to a lesser degree by testosterone and 17β-oestradiol. Chromatography showed that almost all the 3H-cortisol was bound in an unchanged form. The uptake and retention were temperature-sensitive. Contrary to the cortisol-binding site of transcortin, the saturable binding of 3H-cortisol in the PMN's was not destroyed by trypsin. The 3H-cortisol uptake in erythrocytes was also studied; it was very small and showed no saturable component. The saturable 3H-cortisol uptake in the PMN's might be related to a special sensitivity to this hormone.
THE EXCRETION OF »LABILE« OESTROGENS DURING HUMAN PREGNANCY
Authors: Cohen Saul L.
Published: December 2008

One hundred and twenty-three urines from 12 pregnant diabetic patients have been assayed for their stable and »labile« fractions by techniques previously described (Cohen 1971). The oestriol values varied from below normal (5 to 8 mg per day during the last weeks of pregnancy) in three of the patients to high normal (37 to 48 mg per day in the 35th to 38th weeks of pregnancy) in four patients. The oestrone + oestradiol fractions were lower than normal in most of the diabetic patients studied. Nonetheless this fraction like that for normals, yielded a diminishing percentage of the »total« oestrogen as pregnancy progressed. The »labile« fraction of diabetics, however, unlike that of the normals, fluctuated markedly and did not show any consistent increase with advancing pregnancy. For those diabetics the »labile« fraction contributed from 4 to 86 per cent of the »total« oestrogens excreted, and was equal to or greater than the oestriol fractions in 31 urines. The oestriol fraction for all the diabetics was over 90 per cent of the »modified Brown« total, but was only 10 to 86 per cent of the ammonium sulphate »total«. It was less than 50 % of the »total« in 17 assays obtained from 6 of the 12 patients in the post 30 week period. The danger of using the oestriol excretion as a measure of foetal viability for diabetic patients is thus indicated.
THE IN VITRO FORMATION OF ANDROSTENEDIONE FROM C21 STEROIDS BY FOLLICLES ISOLATED FROM HUMAN OVARIES
Authors: Patwardhan Vasant V. , Lanthier André
Published: December 2008

Follicles from human ovaries were incubated simultaneously with [4-14C] pregnenolone and [7α-3H] progesterone in 3 experiments. Samples of the incubation medium were withdrawn at 10, 30 and 60 min and the incubation stopped at 180 min. The unchanged substrates, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione were isolated from each sample. 17-Hydroxypregnenolone was also isolated in one experiment. The product yield-time curves and the 3H/14C ratios of compounds isolated at different time periods showed that in the formation of androstenedione from pregnenolone the following pathways can be operative in the follicle; 1) the Δ5 pathway passing through 17-hydroxypregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone, 2) the pathway passing through 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone and 3) the Δ4 pathway passing through progesterone. Of these, the first two were found to be of major importance.
THE PATTERN OF URINARY EXCRETION OF INDIVIDUAL 17-KETOSTEROIDS IN RHESUS MONKEYS
Authors: Pal S. B.
Published: December 2008

A systematic procedure for the extraction, separation, purification and colorimetric determination of urinary individual 17-ketosteroids in normal rhesus monkeys is described. Dehydroepiandrosterone was extracted after hot hydrolysis of the urine at neutral pH and the remaining steroid conjugates were extracted at pH 2 by the addition of ammonium sulphate. The liberated steroids were extracted after enzyme hydrolysis and the ketonic steroids were separated from the non-ketones by the Girard T reaction. The 11-deoxy steroids were separated from the 11-oxygenated steroids on a Celite column. They were further separated by paper chromatography and after elution, the individual 17-ketosteroids were estimated by the Zimmermann reaction. Normal mean excretion values in 30 female monkeys for total neutral 17-ketosteroids were 1.8 mg/24 h (range 1.5–2.6); total 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, 3.1 mg/24 h (range 2.2–4.8); androsterone, 38.6 μg/kg/24 h (range 9.3–60.2); aetiocholanolone, 19.2 μg/kg/24 h (range 6.8–30.7); dehydroepiandrosterone, 30.8 μg/kg/24 h (range 13.4–50.6); 11-ketoandrosterone, 7.5 μg/kg/24 h (range 5.1–14.1); 11-ketoaetiocholanolone, 10.2 μg/kg/24 h (range 6.8–18.3); 11β-hydroxyandrosterone, 15.4 μg/kg/24 h (range 8.8–26.7); 11β-hydroxyaetiocholanolone, 19.6 μg/kg/24 h (range 12.2–33.1). For total neutral 17-ketosteroids in 20 males, they were 2.5 mg/day (range 2.3–4.1); total 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, 3.7 mg/day (range 2.8–5.3); androsterone, 51.5 μg/kg/24 h (range 12.3–76.7); aetiocholanolone, 22.6 μg/kg/24 h (range 8.7–42.3); dehydroepiandrosterone, 41.3 μg/kg/24 h (range 16.9–59.7); 11-ketoandrosterone, 9.6 μg/kg/24 h (range 6.4–16.3); 11-ketoaetiocholanolone, 12.3 μg/kg/24 h (range 8.2–20.5); 11β-hydroxyandrosterone, 17.5 μg/kg/24 h (range 11.7–29.2); 11β-hydroxyaetiocholanolone, 21.7 μg/kg/24 h (range 14.5–36.4).
EVALUATION OF GONADOTROPHIN ANALYSES IN MALE HYPOGONADISM
Authors: Johnsen Svend G.
Published: December 2008

Urinary total hypophyseal gonadotrophin (HG) analyses in 56 healthy men and 282 patients with a great variety of forms of male hypogonadism showed that in some clinical conditions HG is decreased, in others increased while in some others the HG level is normal.

It has been shown, however, that primary damage of the germinal epithelium per se causes an increase of the HG level. It is necessary, therefore, to take the functional state of the germinal epithelium into account when HG excretion is used as a parameter of function and responsiveness of the hypophysis.

By the testicular biopsy score count method described by the author, a figure (mean score, MS) is obtained which expresses the spermatogenetic state. Analysis of 284 patients with primary testicular disorders established a correlation between the log gonadotrophin value (log HG) and MS. It was found that the HG level in the control group of apparently healthy men was considerably higher than that corresponding to perfect spermatogenesis. The question whether »ideal« men with perfect spermatogenesis or »average healthy« men should be used as controls in gonadotrophin assays is a dilemma.

By using the regression equation between log HG and MS the influence of various spermatogenetic states on the HG level was eliminated by transforming, in each patient, the log HG value to the value corresponding to a fixed mean score of 1.0. These transformed log HG values were then evaluated in the various disorders. Decreased values were found in hypopituitarism, infantilism, eunuchoidism, adiposogenital dystrophy (in adults) and hypogonadism secondary to metabolic disease. In all other conditions, the HG level corresponded to the spermatogenetic state. No extra-tubular factors seem to influence the HG level and no case of primary overproduction of gonadotrophins was found.

The value of transforming gonadotrophin values to a defined spermatogenetic state in clinical and experimental studies is discussed.
OVULATION IN ADULT RATS AFTER TREATMENT WITH PREGNANT MARE SERUM GONADOTROPHIN DURING OESTRUS
Authors: Welschen R. , Rutte M.
Published: December 2008

Treatment of the adult rat with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMS) followed by human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is the standard procedure for inducing superovulation. Experiments were performed on rats with a 5 day cycle to determine why treatment with PMS only does not produce superovulation.

In untreated animals all follicles in a range of [2267] 55 × 106 μm3 take part in ovulation. Similarly, in precocious ovulation induced by HCG in otherwise untreated animals, all follicles in this size range produce ovulations.

After the injection of 5 IU of PMS into rats during oestrus the number of follicles in the size range of [2267] 55 × 106 μm3 is doubled, but only half of them take part in spontaneous ovulation, which occurs one day earlier than in untreated animals. An additional ovulating stimulus by means of treatment with HCG causes no increase in the number of ovulations. Data from hypophysectomized animals receiving HCG indicate that the ovulatory release of luteinizing hormone (LH) is not subnormal following treatment with 5 IU of PMS.

After the administration of 10–35 IU PMS in oestrus, spontaneous ovulation does not occur. Data on hypophysectomized animals receiving HCG indicate that at this dose level of PMS, the ovulatory release of LH is subnormal. Indirect evidence suggests that this is due to high oestrogen levels in the blood, blocking the ovulatory release of LH.

After 50–80 IU of PMS spontaneous ovulation of a small number of ova occurs on day 3. The ovulatory release of LH, estimated as in the previous experiments, is not distinctly subnormal. Therefore at this dose level of PMS a diminished responsiveness of the ovaries is responsible for the subnormal number of ovulations.
IN VITRO STEROID SYNTHESIS BY FOETAL RABBIT ADRENALS
Authors: Kurachi K. , Miyazaki M. , Mori H. , Matsumoto K.
Published: December 2008

Adrenal tissue homogenates from foetal rabbits in late gestation and their mothers were incubated with [7α-3H] pregnenolone and analyzed for conversion products by reverse isotope dilution procedures. Deoxycorticosterone and corticosterone were synthesized as main products by foetal as well as by adult adrenals. In addition, small amounts of progesterone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and cortisol were formed by both adrenals. No C19-steroids and 16α-hydroxysteroids could be found. The results indicate a similarity in the qualitative metabolic pattern of pregnenolone by adrenal cortical tissue of late gestation rabbit foetuses to that of adult rabbits. However, the activity of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase per gram tissue in the foetal rabbit adrenal was of the order of one tenth that in the adrenals of their mothers. By using [3H] progesterone as substrate, the activities of 21-hydroxylase and 11β-hydroxylase in the foetal adrenal were similarly demonstrated to be less than that of the adrenal of the mother.
EFFECT OF ANDROGENS AND ANABOLIC STEROIDS ON THE PLASMA DISAPPEARANCE CURVE AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF [1,2-3H CORTICOSTERONE IN THE RAT
Authors: Linèt O. , Lomen P.
Published: December 2008

Adult male rats were treated with daily doses (per 100 g of body weight) of 1 mg testosterone propionate (TP), 1 mg 19-nortestosterone phenylpropionate (NTPP), 2 mg methyltestosterone, 2 mg methandrostenolone, or 2 mg stanozolol for 7 consecutive days. Other groups of rats were either castrated or castrated and treated with TP. No differences could be detected between the control and experimental groups with regard to plasma levels of endogenous corticosterone 24 hours after the last doses had been administered. All experimental approaches enhanced the plasma half-life of [1,2-3H] corticosterone. The distribution volume of labelled corticosterone decreased after parenteral TP and NTPP, but increased after oral methandrostenolone and stanozolol. Castration increased the distribution volume but administration of TP to castrated animals normalized this value.

Administration of NTPP, methandrostenolone or TP to intact rats for 7 days did not influence the adrenal weight, adrenal corticosterone content, corticosterone level in the adrenal vein plasma, corticosterone secretion rate or the adrenal blood flow.
STUDIES ON GROWTH HORMONE SECRETION II. STIMULATION BY PROSTAGLANDINS IN VITRO
Authors: Hertelendy F.
Published: December 2008

Hemisected rat anterior pituitaries were incubated in KRB (pH 7.4) containing glucose (1 mg/ml) and BSA (1 mg/ml) and the release of growth hormone (GH) was measured by radioimmunoassay. Prostaglandin E1 and E2 (1 μg/ml each) increased GH concentration in the medium by 298 % and 266 % respectively over controls during a one-hour incubation period. On molar basis prostaglandins proved to be at least a thousand times more potent stimulants of GH secretion than theophylline or dibutyryl cyclic AMP. This response was drastically reduced by preincubating the pituitary explants in the presence of EGTA in a calciumfree medium. Addition of calcium (1 mm) restored the relative GH response to PGE1 though the absolute amount of GH released was considerably less than that observed without EGTA treatment. Hormone secretion was potentiated by high concentration of K+ (54 mm) which in itself significantly stimulated GH release. 2,4-Dinitrophenol almost completely abolished PGE1 stimulated GH release indicating that the latter is an energy dependent phenomenon. The possible mechanism by which prostaglandins stimulate GH secretion and the interaction of ions in the secretory mechanism are discussed.
DIE WIRKUNG VON SYNTHETISCHEM THYROTROPHIN RELEASING HORMONE AUF DIE ENTWICKLUNG EINES EXPERIMENTELLEN EXOPHTHALMUS BEIM GOLDFISCH
Authors: Wildmeister W. , Horster F. A.
Published: December 2008

Gold-fishes (carassius auratus) were injected with synthetic thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) in concentrations of 25 μg to 1000 μg/fish. TRH did not provoke endocrine exophthalmos.
IODINATED PARTICLES IN THE RAT THYROID I. A RAPID SEPARATION METHOD
Authors: Simon C. , Dang J. , Miquelis R. , Bastiani P.
Published: December 2008

In a first step, the quantitative preparation of the whole population of iodinated particles was reinvestigated in thyroids obtained from rats maintained in an isotopic equilibrium with 125I. The maximum yield in the iodinated particles was obtained for a 0.15 m sucrose solution in 0.1 m Tris-HCl buffer pH 7. This yield was 3.5 % and 1.7 % of the total iodine content of the thyroid for rats adapted to receive 50 (group 50) and 5 μg (group 5) of iodine daily respectively. The iodinated particles of group 50 were found to be more sensitive to pH variations than those of group 5.

In a second step, a rapid method was developed to separate the whole population of iodinated particles into physiological populations (tentatively colloid droplets and secondary lysosomes). By centrifuging onto a discontinuous Ficoll gradient, three distinct iodine peaks were regularly obtained for rats of group 5 and 50 and also for other rats receiving a diet rich in iodine. For group 50, the iodine pools (127I) as measured by isotopic equilibrium were found to represent about 16% (peak 1), 25 % (peak 2) and 59 % (peak 3) of the total particulate iodine content of the gland.

The possible nature of these three populations of iodinated particles is discussed.
THE EFFECT OF IODINE DEFICIENCY AND SUPPRESSION OF TSH SECRETION ON RADIOIODINE LABELLED THYROXINE AND TRIIODOTHYRONINE IN THE THYROID OF RATS
Authors: Emrich D. , zur Mühlen A. v. , Burmeister G. , Zimmermann H.-D. , Beckmann R.
Published: December 2008

It has been suggested that TSH stimulation of the thyroid gland is accompanied by an alteration in the ratio of newly synthesized thyroxine (*T4)1)/triiodothyronine (*T3) in favour of *T3. Evidence in support of this hypothesis is provided here by the finding that suppression of TSH secretion in rats alters this ratio in the other direction, i. e. in favour of *T4.

Thus, endogenous TSH stimulation was increased for 4 weeks by iodine deficiency. Its suppression was performed by the administration of T3, using a dose of 0.05-0.25 μg/100 g body weight which was injected subcutaneously every 12 hours for three days. The effect of TSH stimulation and suppression could be assessed from the following parameters: thyroid weight and histology, thyroid 131I uptake, 131I conversion ratio, hormonal iodine concentration, and TSH level in the plasma. After iodine deficiency the ratio of *T4/*T3 in the thyroid gland changed in favour of *T3. This may compensate for the iodine deficiency, since the oxygen consumption and the heart rate of the animals remained in the normal range. After suppression the ratio of *T4/*T3 changed in the opposite direction, i. e. in favour of *T4. The extent of the suppression of *T4 and *T3 was dependent on the suppression dose used.
UPTAKE OF TRITIATED LYSINE-VASOPRESSIN BY ISOLATED SECRETORY GRANULES FROM BOVINE NEUROHYPOPHYSES
Authors: Vilhardt Hans
Published: December 2008

A subcellular fraction containing neurosecretory granules was obtained by differential centrifugation of homogenized neural lobes of bovine hypophyses. The isolated granules were incubated with tritium labelled lysine-vasopressin and the uptake of the radioactive hormone by the granules was studied.

Since enzymes capable of breaking down vasopressin were present in the fraction, it was necessary after the incubation to separate the labelled vasopressin from its radioactive breakdown products. This was done by paper chromatography.

The results showed that vasopressin readily reached a higher concentration in the granules than in the surrounding medium. This process was not changed by cold, N2 or metabolic inhibitors. During the incubation radioactivity soon appeared in the proteins of the granules.
COMPARISON BETWEEN COVALENTLY BOUND AND FREE ANTIBODIES, USED FOR RADIOIMMUNOASSAY
Authors: Arends J.
Published: December 2008

Radioimmunoassays using either free or covalently bound antibodies under otherwise identical conditions have been compared. A lowered utilization of antibodies and a loss in sensitivity protential have been observed with the last mentioned method.
INFLUENCE OF GONADAL HORMONES ON THE ACTION OF CALCITONIN IN THE RAT
Authors: Serensen O. Helmer , Hindberg Inge
Published: December 2008

The influence of short-term and long-term treatment with gonadal hormones on the response to calcitonin was investigated in the rat. Oestrogen-treatment, short-term as well as long-term, resulted in a reduced responsiveness to calcitonin. Long-term treatment with androgens enhanced the hypocalcaemic effect of calcitonin in castrated rats of either sex, but reduced the effect in intact animals. No sex differences could be registered in the sensitivity to calcitonin, when intact animals were compared according to age, while marked differences were observed, when the animals were compared according to weight. There was a linear decrease in the response to calcitonin with increasing age in rats of both sexes. An intraperitoneal calcium load was followed by an acute rise in the serum calcium levels. The adult animals counteracted the hypercalcaemia more slowly than the young ones. Significant differences also occurred between male and female rats, the rise in the serum calcium concentration being much more pronounced in the latter group. The hypocalcaemic activity of thyroid tissue from rats of both sexes and of various ages showed considerable variations, but no differences correlated to age or sex.
STUDIES ON THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF TESTOSTERONE IN THE RAT
Authors: Kniewald Z. , Zanisi M. , Martini L.
Published: December 2008

Plasma levels of testosterone have been measured in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats using a gas-chromatographic procedure. Immediately after castration, the concentrations of testosterone in the plasma increase to reach a maximum one hour after orchidectomy; after this time a progressive decrease in plasma testosterone is observed. The concentration of testosterone then returns to levels close to those found before the operation two hours after castration; four hours after orchidectomy plasma testosterone begins to decrease to values lower than in the intact controls. Adrenalectomized animals with their testes in situ show a sharp decrease in plasma testosterone which begins immediately after the operation; the plasma testosterone reaches levels significantly lower than those in the intact control one hour after adrenalectomy; a greater decrease is observed four hours after the operation. Twenty-four hours after unilateral adrenalectomy the remaining gland significantly increases in weight; at this time, the plasma corticosterone and plasma testosterone levels of unilaterally adrenalectomized rats are normal. These results are interpreted as indicating that the adrenal gland of normal male rats is capable of producing testosterone, and that the synthesis of testosterone at the adrenal level is increased immediately after castration. Moreover it is suggested that the adrenal gland also contributes to the biosynthesis of testosterone in an indirect fashion, i. e. by providing the testes with an essential precursor. It has been tentatively proposed that progesterone might be such a precursor.
STUDIES ON THE INTERACTION OF LONG-ACTING THYROID STIMULATOR (LATS) WITH SOLUBLE THYROID FRACTIONS
Authors: Amino N. , Miyai K. , Azukizawa M. , Kumahara Y.
Published: December 2008

The specificity, stability and reversibility of the in vitro interaction of LATS with soluble human thyroid fractions was studied. With regard to tissue specificity, the cell sap obtained from human liver, spleen, kidney, and muscle did not inhibit the LATS activity while the same amount of thyroid cell sap significantly inhibited it. When the LATS inhibitory activity in thyroid subcellular fractions was compared, the microsomal fraction was more active than cell sap or solubilized microsomes in terms of milligram of protein, but the cell sap had considerable activity as based on the original thyroid weight. Lyophilization of cell sap did not reduce the LATS inhibitory activity, but treatment with 2 m NaSCN and 6 m urea apparently destroyed this capacity. Acid treatment of cell sap at pH 2.5 and at 3.0 completely destroyed its ability to inhibit LATS activity. Inhibition of LATS activity was roughly proportional to the amount of thyroid cell sap. Human TSH, on the other hand, was not inhibited by cell sap which had a significant inhibitory effect on LATS. LATS activity was more effectively inhibited when a mixture of LATS-IgG and thyroid cell sap was incubated for 96 hours than for 12 hours. The inhibition of LATS activity by thyroid cell sap was partially but significantly reversed by acid treatment, as observed in experiment using microsomes. When thyroid cell sap was fractionated by gel filtration on Sepharose 4B, LATS inhibitory activity was distributed in all the fractions including the 27S to 4S proteins. In DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, LATS inhibitory activity tended to be eluted at a higher ionic strength. In each fraction of Sepharose 4B and DEAE-cellulose, LATS inhibitory activity was found to be unrelated to the thyroglobulin content.

It is believed that the inhibition of LATS activity by thyroid cell sap is compatible with an antigen-antibody reaction and that the LATS inhibitor may not be a thyroglobulin itself but a more negatively charged heterogeneous substance.
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF THYROTROPHIN AND LONG-ACTING THYROID STIMULATOR ON IODIDE TRAPPING IN ISOLATED THYROID CELLS
Authors: Burke Gerald , Kowalski Kazimierz
Published: December 2008

The effects of thyrotrophin (TSH) and long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) in isolated bovine thyroid cells were studied. Both TSH (1 to 100 mU/ml) and LATS-IgG (0.25 to 3.5 mg/ml; mouse bioassay response index = 500 %/mg) stimulated I− trapping in a dose-related manner with a maximum 58 ± 13 % increase and 62 ± 18 % increase over control 131I cell/medium (C/M) ratios, respectively. The stimulatory effects of TSH and LATS-IgG were similarly inhibited by Li+ ion, by membrane stabilizers (chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine) at concentrations > 1 × 10−5 m and by phentolamine, 10−6 to 10−4 m, but were unaffected by propranolol. When ineffective concentrations of either stimulator were combined with effective concentrations of the other, a significant reduction in stimulation of iodide trapping was consistently observed. Combinations of maximally effective concentrations of TSH and LATS had no additive effects on C/M ratio. Using equipotent (based on 4.5 h incubations) concentrations of TSH and LATS-IgG, TSH augmentation of I− trapping was apparent only after 60 min incubation, whereas LATS increased C/M ratios within 15 min.

These data provide further evidence that: 1) the thyroidal sites of action of TSH and LATS are similar or identical, and, 2) LATS is not slower in onset of action than TSH in vitro and with equipotent doses may be even faster.
STUDIES ON THE MOUSE UTERINE AUGMENTATION TEST FOR THE ASSAY OF FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE IN FOUR MOUSE COLONIES
Authors: Christie D. W. , Bell E. T. , Harrison D.
Published: December 2008

Assays of follicle-stimulating hormone from the National Institutes of Health (NIH-FSH-S4) have been conducted using the uterine augmentation test in four strains of mice.

Dose response curves were determined for each strain using dosages of NIH-FSH ranging from 4–64 μg together with 0.1 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in five sc injections given over three days. The specificity of the assay was investigated in each strain by adding 2, 10 and 50 μg luteinizing hormone (NIH-LH-S6) to each of three doses of NIH-FSH, 6, 12 and 24 μg, forming a complete three factor experimental design; each mouse also received 0.1 IU HCG. Five mice from each strain were employed at each of the 64 treatment combinations.

Values for b and λ in the dose response studies were acceptable for quantitative work but all strains were relatively insensitive. In the specificity studies the analysis of variance showed that a marked strain variation existed in the magnitude of the response to NIH-FSH and to NIH-LH while one strain showed a significant interaction between these two hormones. Regression analysis was carried out and the influence of different doses of NIH-LH on the linear regression coefficient was examined. In general it was considered that, under the conditions employed, none of the four strains would prove useful in the uterine augmentation test.
THE CLINICAL USE OF CHLORPROPAMIDE IN DIABETES INSIPIDUS
Authors: Wales John K. , Fraser T. Russell
Published: December 2008

Chlorpropamide has been shown to be an effective oral therapy in diabetes insipidus of hypothalamic-pituitary origin. In some cases with anterior pituitary dysfunction, although chlorpropamide was antidiuretic, hypoglycaemia was a barrier to continued therapy. Tests indicated that chlorpropamide does not produce this effect by a reduction in glomerular filtration rate nor by increasing vasopressin secretion, nor by acting like the thiazide diuretics in diabetes insipidus but is more likely to act by increasing the sensitivity of the renal tubule to low and otherwise ineffective concentrations of vasopressin.
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF OESTROGENS ON THE PITUITARY-ADRENAL FUNCTION IN THE MALE RAT
Authors: Perklev Torsten
Published: December 2008

A single injection of a long-acting oestrogen, polydiethylstilboestrol phosphate (PSP; 200 μg/100 g body weight), into adult male rats caused an enlargement of the adrenal glands and an approximate doubling of total adrenal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-OHD) activity and plasma corticosterone concentration in animals sacrificed 11 to 14 days following injection.

The administration of interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) of human origin or a long-acting testosterone ester (Andradurin®) into the PSP-treated animals partially or completely counteracted the effects of the PSP treatment on adrenal weight and 3β-OHD activity. Daily injections of corticotrophin (ACTH) into intact male rats for 7 days caused a significant rise in the adrenal 3β-OHD activity. Gonadectomy of male rats resulted in increased adrenal weights and elevated adrenal 3β-OHD activity. The plasma corticosterone concentration was unaffected. PSP treatment significantly augmented the effects of the gonadectomy on the adrenal weight and 3β-OHD activity and caused an elevated plasma corticosteroid concentration. The adrenal enlargement following gonadectomy was completely reversed by testosterone replacement but was not influenced by daily injections of ICSH.

The data are interpreted as suggesting that the oestrogen-induced hyper-secretion of ACTH in the male rat may be mediated through an elevated activity of the corticosteroid-binding globulin, caused by a reduced plasma testosterone level and a stimulated thyroid activity.
CELLULAR VARIATION IN THE UPTAKE AND METABOLISM OF CORTISOL BY CANINE ERYTHROCYTES
Authors: Philip Elseworth L. I. , Marotta S. F.
Published: December 2008

Samples of blood taken from 30 dogs were incubated with 1 μg cortisol/ml blood for 15 minutes. The RBC rapidly took up cortisol in varying amounts with the mean uptake being slightly greater than could be accounted for by equal distribution between plasma and RBC. The actual steroidal concentration associated with the RBC varied from 37.7 to 79.1 % in these 30 animals. It is suggested that some of the discrepancies in the literature relative to the quantitative association of cortisol with mammalian RBC may be related to the different kinds of RBC used to study uptake, as well as individual variation in cellular uptake. Also the finding of substantial quantities of cortisol associated with the RBC fractions of dog's blood suggests that no reliable estimates of blood steroidal concentration can be achieved without a knowledge of the quantity associated with the RBC. Cortisol reductase enzyme systems could not be detected in these cells. It is concluded that canine anucleated RBC do not possess the capacity to catabolize cortisol.
THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE AND RELATED STEROIDS ON THE OXIDATIVE AND GLYCOLYTIC ACTIVITY AND ON LIPID SYNTHESIS OF TESTICULAR AND EJACULATED BULL SPERMATOZOA
Authors: Voglmayr J. K.
Published: December 2008

The effect of testosterone and ten related steroids on the oxidative and glycolytic metabolism and on lipid synthesis of washed bull ejaculated spermatozoa in vitro have been studied and comparisons made with spermatozoa collected from the rete testis of the same animal. Testicular spermatozoa differed from ejaculated spermatozoa in their response to steroids. At a concentration of 100 μg/ml androstanedione and 5β-epiandrosterone depressed the oxidative metabolism of testicular spermatozoa, whereas androsterone and 5β-androsterone had the reverse effect; they stimulated rather than depressed the respiration and oxidation of glucose by these cells. By contrast, with the exception of androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone and 5β-androstanediol, the steroids always depressed the respiration of ejaculated spermatozoa. The effective steroids always enhanced glycolysis in both testicular and ejaculated spermatozoa. However, with the exception of androstanedione, the steroids which enhanced glycolysis of ejaculated spermatozoa were not the same which affected the glycolytic activity in testicular spermatozoa. Under anaerobic conditions, the steroids did not stimulate glycolysis of both types of spermatozoa to any extent. Testicular spermatozoa, incubated with no added steroid, incorporated more carbon from [U-14C] glucose into lipid than did ejaculated cells. The addition of steroids significantly increased or tended to increase lipid biosynthesis in both testicular and ejaculated spermatozoa. Androstanedione, 5β-androstanedione, 5β-androsterone and 5β-epiandrosterone were the most effective steroids in altering the metabolic pattern of the spermatozoa. The results indicate that the effect of steroid hormones depends on the »maturity« of the spermatozoa and also on the nature of the steroid.
BLOOD FLOW AND RADIOIODINE UPTAKE IN THE THYROID GLAND OF RATS AFTER ADMINISTRATION AND DISCONTINUATION OF CARBIMAZOLE AND PERCHLORATE
Authors: Kapitola J. , Schüllerová M. , Schreiberová O.
Published: December 2008

The effect of carbimazole (0.02 % in the food for 7 days) and potassium perchlorate (1 % in the food for 7 days) on the blood flow (86Rb method) and radioiodine uptake in the thyroid gland of rats was studied. The administration of both drugs results in an increase in the thyroid blood flow (higher after carbimazole); after discontinuation, the thyroid blood flow in both cases returned to normal levels within 7 days. The radioiodine uptake after the discontinuation of carbimazole exhibits a marked rebound on the 1st and 2nd day, whereas after discontinuation of perchlorate it exceeds the normal level on the 4th–7th day. Thus, our present and previous studies reveal qualitatively the same changes in the thyroid blood flow after the administration and discontinuation of carbimazole, perchlorate and methylthiouracil, this in all probability being due to variations in the TSH level. The rebound phenomenon in the radioiodine uptake, demonstrable after both carbimazole and perchlorate, however, shows a different temporal characteristic.
PREGNANETRIOLONE EXCRETION IN STEIN-LEVENTHAL SYNDROME
Authors: Travaglini P. , Faglia G.
Published: December 2008

Detectable amounts of pregnanetriolone were found in urines of 19 out of 20 women with clinical and histopathological evidence of the Stein-Leventhal syndrome.

Twelve subjects were studied after ACTH, dexamethasone, and dexamethasone plus HCG administration.

Pregnanetriolone excretion rose after ACTH infusion and fell after dexamethasone administration in all the patients.

The combined administration of HCG and dexamethasone caused a significant increase in pregnanetriolone output in 8 out of 12 women.

The combined administration of lynestrenol and mestranol in 4 HCG responsive patients, induced a decrease in pregnanetriolone excretion.

After wedge resection, urinary pregnanetriolone was not detectable in 3 out of 7 patients.

These data confirm the diagnostic importance of this compound in the evaluation of Stein-Leventhal syndrome and suggest the existence of two types of Stein-Leventhal syndrome (with respect to pregnanetriolone excretion) i. e. responsive and non responsive to HCG, and demonstrate that the ovary may be a source of 21-deoxycortisol.
EFFECT OF ADRENALINE AND ACETYLCHOLINE ON THE HISTOCHEMISTRY AND VOLUME OF ADRENAL MEDULLA OF RAT
Authors: Boseila A-W. A. , Badawy Y. H. , Tarkhan A. A.
Published: December 2008

By means of a modified chromaffin reaction, the adrenal glands of albino rats were studied microscopically and their medullary volumes determined planimetrically and graphically following the administration of adrenaline or acetylcholine. The animals receiving single or consecutive adrenaline injections showed an increase in the intensity of the chromaffin reaction and higher values of medullary volume. These findings could be due to a decrease in catccholamine secretion as a result of their increased level in the circulation. The animals receiving acetylcholine, presented, after 12 hours, a decrease in the intensity of the chromaffin reaction and vacuolization of the cytoplasm as well as lower values of the medullary volume. These findings are probably due to a decrease in the catecholamine content of the gland, or to a decrease in the blood flow resulting from the direct vasoconstricting action of the released medullary catecholamines. Three days later, the intensity of the chromaffin reaction was increased while the cytoplasmic vacuolization was less conspicuous. Six days after the injection, the intensity of the chromaffin reaction had returned to normal.