bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF NATURAL SEX STEROIDS ON THE EXCRETION OF FOLLICLE-STIMULATING AND LUTEINIZING HORMONE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Authors: Keller Paul J.
Published: December 2008

The effect of some natural sex steroids on the excretion of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone in postmenopausal women has been studied. Daily doses of 0.3, 1.5 and 6 mg oestrone, 0.3, 3 and 10 mg oestradiol, 0.2 and 2 mg oestriol, 5 and 50 mg progesterone and 5 and 50 mg testosterone were administered over a period of six days. Low doses of oestrogens induced a marked increase in FSH and to a lower extent also in LH, while a medium dose initially increased the FSH activity, but later induced a sharp decrease in both FSH and LH, whereas high doses immediately depressed both activities without significantly altering the FSH/LH ratio. Progesterone and testosterone induced very slight changes only. After cessation of medication the trend was variable for steroid doses, which were predominantly stimulating. When the initial effect was inhibitory, however, a marked increase in both FSH and LH was observed.
TISSUES RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASED PLASMA ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN HYPERTHYROID LAYING HENS
Authors: Perek M. , Snapir N.
Published: December 2008

The source of increased plasma alkaline phosphatase activity in laying hens following thyroprotein feed supplementation was investigated in the liver, kidney, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, uterus and femur. Enzyme activity was found to be the most responsive in the duodenum and bone; response in the bone was almost twice as high as in the control group. The epiphyseal parts of the bone showed the greatest relative response as compared with the cortical or medullary parts, though the absolute highest activity was found in the latter. It seems, therefore, that the bone serves as the main source of increased plasma alkaline phosphatase activity in hyperthyroid laying hens.
IN VITRO UPTAKE OF TRITIATED OESTRADIOL BY THE ANTERIOR HYPOTHALAMUS AND HYPOPHYSIS OF THE RAT
Authors: Kato Junzo
Published: December 2008

The anterior, middle, and posterior hypothalamus, the cortex cerebri, the anterior hypophysis as well as the diaphragm of adult ovariectomized rats were incubated in vitro with tritiated 17β-oestradiol. The uptake of tritiated oestradiol was differentially distributed intracerebrally with higher accumulation in the anterior hypothalamus and the hypophysis. Lowering the temperature of the incubation medium caused a reduction in the uptake of radioactivity by the anterior hypothalamus as compared to that found in other brain tissues. Tritiated oestradiol taken up in vitro by the anterior hypothalamus and the hypophysis tended to be retained after further incubation in a steroid-free medium. The addition of non-radioactive 17β-oestradiol to the medium inhibited the uptake of tritiated oestradiol by these tissues. Moreover, pretreatment with non-radioactive 17β-oestradiol in vivo prevented the preferential accumulation of tritiated oestradiol in vitro in the anterior hypothalamus and the hypophysis. These results indicate that oestradiol is preferentially taken up in vitro by the anterior hypothalamus and the hypophysis of the rat.
DISAPPEARANCE RATE OF BOVINE PROLACTIN FROM PLASMA OF FEMALE RATS STUDIED AT INTERVALS OF UP TO 160 MINUTES BY RADIOIMMUNOASSAY
Authors: van der Gugten A. A. , Kwa H. G.
Published: December 2008

Plasma values resulting from the intravenous administration of 300, 100, 30 and 10 μ of bovine prolactin to rats on day 1 of pregnancy were followed by taking blood samples after 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 minutes respectively. The rate of disappearance was found to be dose-dependent and to vary in time in the same rat.

It is suggested that at least two processes of elimination take place: 1. a (possibly excretory) process, which can bring »unphysiologically high« prolactin levels down to approximately its treshold level of 1.7 μg/ml and 2. a process, which breaks down the hormone into »immunoreactive« polypeptides. This process can degrade 10 μg of bovine prolactin quantitatively within 10 minutes, but appears to become rapidly »saturated« by larger amounts of the hormone.
FURTHER STUDIES ON THE 27S AND 32S OPTICAL DENSITY PEAKS OF THE RAT THYROID
Authors: Thomson John A. , Bissett Joyce M.
Published: December 2008

In this paper evidence is presented that a 27S Optical Density (O. D.) peak is absent and a 32S O. D. peak is regularly present on analysis of the soluble thyroid proteins of the goitrous rat. This occurs irrespective of the goitrogenic stimulus and a normal O. D. pattern can be restored by reversal of the goitrous process by thyroxine. In rats rendered goitrous by a low iodine diet or KClO4 treatment, iodine supplementation also removed the 32S O. D. peak and resulted in reformation of the 27S peak. In rats treated by antithyroid drugs of the thiocarbamide group loss of the 32S O. D. peak was not associated with recovery of a 27S peak. This may be related to differences in potency of the various antithyroid drugs. 125I and 3H-leucine were not incorporated into the 32S O. D. peak material of the rat thyroid in vivo or into the 32S O. D. peak material of sheep thyroid slices in vitro. The view that this 32S O. D. peak was not iodoprotein nature was confirmed by showing that this peak had a maximal absorbance at 260 nm favouring the hypothesis that it was composed of nucleic acid.
»MIXED« GONADAL DYSGENESIS, A CASE WITH MALE PHENOTYPE AND 45,X/46,XY MOSAICISM
Authors: Hortling H. , Chapelle A. de la , Teppo L. , Kivioja O.
Published: December 2008

A 48-year-old male with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism and mixed gonadal dysgenesis is presented. His height was 157 cm he had a shield-like chest and multiple skin naevi. The patient had been operated on for hypospadias. At 44 he became mildly diabetic.

On the left side of the scrotum there was a testicle measuring 2 cm, showing a histological picture of the »Sertoli cell only« syndrome. Laparotomy revealed a uterus, a vas deferens and a Fallopian tube. A streak gonad was located on the right side. Histologically the streak gonad resembled those typical of female Turner's syndrome, and the histology of the testis resembled that commonly found in male Turner's syndrome.

Cultures of lymphocytes from the peripheral blood made in 1961, 1962 and 1969 revealed 6, 31 and 12 per cent respectively of cells with the karyotype 46,XY. The remainder of the cells had the karyotype 45,X. Fibroblasts grown from skin biopsies invariably showed only 45,X cells. Mitoses from tissue cultures of the testis showed 29% cells with the karyotype 46,XY. The apparent variations in the proportions of the different stem-lines between different tissues and at different times in mosaicism are emphasized.

Other reports on phenotypic males with the clinical picture of »mixed« gonadal dysgenesis and X/XY mosaicism or related karyotypes are briefly reviewed with emphasis on the testicular histology and the presence of congenital anomalies other than those connected with the genital system.
THE FORMATION OF OESTROGENS BY THE AUTOTRANSPLANTED OVARY OF THE EWE PERFUSED IN VIVO WITH C19 STEROIDS
Authors: Rado Andre , McCracken John A. , Baird David T.
Published: December 2008

The autotransplanted ovary of the ewe was perfused in vivo via the ovarian artery with either 14C or 3H labelled C19 steroids. 17β-Oestradiol was the major phenolic steroid isolated in ovarian venous blood from either testosterone or androstenedione. Smaller amounts of oestrone were obtained but there was no 17α-oestradiol, oestriol nor conjugated oestrogens isolated. The yield of oestrogen was approximately ten fold greater from androstenedione than from testosterone suggesting that the main route of oestrogen biosynthesis in the ovine ovary is via the former steroid. The effect of infusing luteinizing hormone (LH) at the rate of 10 μg per hour on the conversion of androstenedione to 17β-oestradiol was measured in 5 experiments. In 2 experiments, when the steady state was not achieved, the increasing rate of conversion was halted. On the other hand LH resulted in a temporary increase followed by a decrease in the rate of conversion in the remaining 3 experiments in which there was a constant rate of conversion in the control samples. These results are compatible with the concept that LH stimulates the aromatisation of androstenedione to oestrogens by the ovary in vivo.
PROGESTERONE AND HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN (HCG) LEVELS IN PLASMA DURING DILATION OF THE UTERINE CERVIX IN EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY
Authors: Fylling Petter , Norman Nils
Published: December 2008

Dilation of the uterine cervix for 16 hours as a preliminary to the induction of legal abortion during the first trimester of human pregnancy resulted in a marked increase in the plasma level of both progesterone and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). In a control group (with the dilating instrument taped on the medial side of the upper thigh) no increase in progesterone occurred. The increase in the plasma level of HCG was more pronounced than that of progesterone, the mean increase being 80 and 50 per cent respectively. Following the termination of the pregnancy, the half life (t½) of endogenous HCG in peripheral plasma could be calculated, and was found to be about 7 hours.
SERUM TESTOSTERONE AS AN INDEX OF GONADOTROPHIN SECRETION IN ACROMEGALY AND PITUITARY DISEASE
Authors: Rosenfield Robert L. , Goldfine Ira D. , Lawrence A. M.
Published: December 2008

Laboratory evidence for hypogonadism has been sought in 33 patients with acromegaly and pituitary disease. Low serum testosterone was found in 7 of the 15 males with acromegaly and 4 of 4 with chromophobe adenomas. Clomiphene administration caused no rise in testosterone in the acromegalic tested; a normal response to HCG, however, was determined in another. Disparity between testosterone levels and sperm count in three subjects suggests that dissociation of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH) secretion may occur in association with hypothalamic-pituitary disease. This study indicates that gonadotrophic insufficiency is a commonly associated feature of acromegaly in the male.

Testosterone levels were depressed in four of the five females with hypoadrenalism and/or hypogonadism secondary to pituitary disease who were not on oestrogen substitution therapy.
GLUCAGON-INDUCED GROWTH HORMONE RELEASE IN CHILDREN
Authors: Weber Bruno , Helge Hans , Quabbe Hans-Jürgen
Published: December 2008

The effect of iv glucagon injections on growth hormone (GH) secretion has been studied in 45 children. A rapid increase in GH plasma values within 30 min was seen in 15 out of 23 normal, 6 out of 12 obese, and 3 out of 10 diabetic subjects. Maximal individual increments ranged from 4.1 to 16.8 ng/ml in the normal, 2.1 to 6.3 ng/ml in the obese, and 2.1 to 4.2 ng/ml in the diabetic responders, respectively. A lower incidence in the GH response and smaller peaks in the obese, as compared to normal weight subjects, agree with many studies using different stimuli. The hyporesponsiveness of diabetic children to glucagon remains unexplained. Some correlation between GH responses and nausea or sick feeling, which occurred in many children following the glucagon load of 1 mg, seemed to indicate stress-like mechanisms as the major cause of this phenomenon, but the possible relevance of more specific glucagon effects cannot be excluded.
AMINES AND MOUSE THYROID ACTIVITY:
Authors: Melander Arne
Published: December 2008

Large doses of l-adrenaline (A), l-noradrenaline (NA) or l-isoprenaline (IPNA) increased the blood131I and plasma protein-bound 131I levels in thyroxine-blocked and in hypophysectomized but not in normal mice. The responses were similar to those of thyrotrophin, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA). It was concluded that, in the mouse, a large dose of A, NA or IPNA, like 5-HT and DA, induces a release of thyroid hormone, that this effect results from an action within the thyroid gland, and that it is not caused by intra- or extrathyroidal vascular changes. Large doses of tryptamine (TrA) and tyramine (TyA) also evoked increased blood131I levels in thyroxine-blocked mice. Thus several aromatic monoamines seem capable of inducing a release of thyroid hormone. Histamine, an aromatic diamine, was ineffective even in near-lethal doses.

In thyroxine-blocked mice the alpha adrenergic blocking drug phenoxybenzamine (PhBA) inhibited the responses to A, NA, 5-HT, DA, TrA and TyA, whereas the response to IPNA was unaffected or even augmented. The beta blocking drug l-propranolol did not diminish the responses to the first six amines but inhibited the response to IPNA. d-Propranolol, which has only weak beta-blocking properties, did not affect the response to IPNA nor to any of the other amines. The alpha adrenergic blocker phentolamine inhibited the same responses as did PhBA, but also seemed to have a slight hormone-releasing effect of its own.

It is suggested that, in conventional terms, the thyroid hormone-releasing effects of the biogenic monoamines 5-HT, DA, TrA, TyA, A and NA are all mediated by thyroid receptors that are similar to or identical with alpha adrenergic receptors, while the non-biogenic IPNA has a similar effect though mediated by receptors that are similar to or identical with beta receptors.

Theophylline pretreatment slightly but significantly augmented the responses to both 5-HT, A and IPNA. This implies that an activation of thyroidal adenyl cyclase may be involved in the amine-induced release of thyroid hormone, whether the effect is classified as alpha or beta adrenergic in nature.
IONIZED, ULTRAFILTRABLE AND TOTAL CALCIUM IN SERUM IN HYPERPARATHYROIDISM
Authors: Transbøl lb , Hahnemann Steffen , Hornum lb
Published: December 2008

The present study has been performed in order to evaluate whether analysis of the ionized and ultrafiltrable fractions of calcium in the serum (Ca++ and UFCa) is superior or not to the analysis of total calcium (TOCa) in demonstrating the presence of hypercalcaemia. For this evaluation determinations have been carried out in 60 patients with hyperparathyroidism.

The material has been divided into one group of 47 patients with definite hypercalcaemia (average TOCa > mean control + 2.6 sd) and another of 14 patients with borderline hypercalcaemia (mean control + 2.6 sd ≧ TOCa ≧ mean control + sd; average Ca++ ≧ mean control + 2.6 sd). In the group with definite hypercalcaemia the average concentrations of TOCa, UFCa and Ca++ are all greater than the mean control + 2.6 sd, but the UFCa and Ca++ provide a greater distinction between the control group and the patients than that indicated by the concentration of TOCa. In the group with borderline hypercalcaemia large parathyroid glands were removed in all patients. Histological classification characterized 8 as adenomas and 6 as normal. Identity between these two subgroups as far as the preoperative level of TOCa, UFCa and Ca++ and the postoperative fall in this level is concerned makes it probable that the parathyroid tissue which was removed in both groups had the same secretory capacity irrespective of the histological classification. It is concluded that the UFCa and Ca++ which were clearly elevated in 9 and 14 patients, respectively, were both superior to the TOCa in demonstrating hypercalcaemia, not only in the 8 patients with definite histological evidence of hyperparathyroidism but also in the group as a whole. When the total of 147 preoperative determinations of Ca++, UFCa and TOCa is estimated, it is found that 3%, 15% and 31%, respectively, of the determinations fall within the mean control level + 2.6 sd and 1%, 9% and 25% within the mean control level + 2 sd. Accordingly, it is suggested that UFCa and/or Ca++ should be determined in all patients with borderline hypercalcaemia.
EFFECT OF pH ON THE BINDING OF THYROXINE TO SERUM PROTEINS
Authors: Coutsoftides Theodore , Gordon Amirav
Published: December 2008

The maximal binding capacity of human thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) was found to decrease, and that of thyroxine-binding pre-albumin (TBPA) to increase with an increase in pH in the range of pH 7.2 to 8.2. On the other hand, the transfer of T4125I from the serum to a weak binder (Sephadex) was found to decrease with increasing pH. The same phenomena was shown to exist in mouse and rat serum, and to be blocked by DNP, a potent TBA & TBPA binding inhibitor. It is suggested that serum albumin may play a pH sensitive role in the T4 transfer to tissue.
THE EFFECT OF CORTISOL ON THE INCORPORATION OF RNA AND PROTEIN PRECURSORS INTO THE NUCLEUS AND CYTOPLASM OF HUMAN NEUTROPHILS CULTURED IN VITRO
Authors: Werthamer Seymour , Amaral Leonard
Published: December 2008

Previous studies by us indicated, via indirect means, that cortisol decreased the incorporation of leucine into the total protein of cultured human neutrophils. These experiments have been repeated, employing autoradiographic procedures, in order to corroborate our previous observations as well as to obtain information on the possible effect of cortisol on the incorporation of uridine into neutrophil RNA. The results presented suggest that cortisol promotes a decrease in the incorporation of uridine into human neutrophil nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA, whereas, only the synthesis of nuclear protein appears affected. A correlation of these results to the neutrocytosis promoted by the in vitro administration of cortisol to humans is made and discussed.
COMPENSATORY OVARIAN GROWTH AND COMPENSATORY OVULATION AFTER UNILATERAL OVARIECTOMY IN RATS WITH AN OVARIAN AUTOGRAFT IN THE REGION OF THE PORTAL VEIN
Authors: Welschen R.
Published: December 2008

Compensatory growth and the compensatory increase of the number of ovulations in the remaining ovary after unilateral ovariectomy were compared in three groups of rats:

I. Rats with no ovarian graft. II. Rats with an ovarian autograft in the region of the portal vein. III. Rats with an ovarian autograft in a region draining into the general circulation.

Compensatory growth was not inhibited by ovarian grafts placed in the region of the portal vein, whereas this was inhibited with grafts of the same volume but draining into the general circulation. This finding supports the view that compensatory ovarian growth after unilateral ovariectomy is at least partially the result of an increase in the gonadotrophin level in the blood, following the decrease in oestrogen level.

In contrast, the total number of ovulations did not differ significantly in the three groups. The number of ovulations in the ovary in situ was in most cases decreased, when ovulations had occurred in the grafts, even in animals with a graft in the region of the portal vein. These findings are discussed.
EFFECT OF TOXIC URINARY EXTRACTS ON SPECIFIC ASSAYS FOR HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN AND FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE
Authors: Hipkin L. J.
Published: December 2008

Boiled urinary extracts, which had inhibited the activity of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in the mouse uterus assay, potentiated the effects of HCG and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion and rat ovarian augmentation assays respectively. This treatment inhibited responses to FSH when the ovarian augmentation assay was conducted in hypophysectomised animals. A toxic urinary extract did not affect the activity of HCG in the ventral prostate weight assay in either intact or hypophysectomised rats. Reasons for the different effects of boiled urinary extracts in these assays are discussed.
METABOLISM OF RAM TESTICULAR SPERMATOZOA IN THE PRESENCE OF TESTOSTERONE AND RELATED STEROIDS
Authors: Voglmayr J. K. , Murdoch R. N. , White I. G.
Published: December 2008

The effects of testosterone* and related steroids on the oxidative and glycolytic metabolism of freshly collected ram testicular spermatozoa and of spermatozoa stored under air in rete testis fluid for 3 days at 3°C have been studied. When freshly collected testicular spermatozoa were incubated with glucose under aerobic conditions only a small proportion of the utilized glucose could be accounted for as lactate. The addition of a number of steroids, including testosterone, androstanedione, 5β-androstanedione, androsterone, epiandrosterone and 5β-androsterone, greatly increased aerobic glycolysis, the oxidation of the substrate and the proportion of the utilized substrate converted to lactic acid.

After 3 days storage at 3°C, testicular spermatozoa respired at a greater rate than spermatozoa freshly collected from the testes. Although the stimulating effect of steroids on aerobic glycolysis increased after storage, they depressed rather than stimulated the oxidation of glucose by stored testicular spermatozoa. With the exception of androstanedione, which slightly stimulated glycolysis, storage of testicular spermatozoa for 3 days in the presence of steroids did not significantly influence their subsequent metabolism when washed free of the steroids. Both freshly collected and stored ram testicular spermatozoa displayed a marked Pasteur effect, and utilized more glucose and produced more lactate under anaerobic than under aerobic conditions. In the absence of oxygen the steroids did not stimulate glycolysis to any extent. However, epiandrosterone depressed the glycolysis of freshly collected spermatozoa under anaerobic conditions and after storage, 5β-androsterone had a similar effect.

Androstanedione, 5β-androstanedione, epiandrosterone and 5β-androsterone were the most effective steroids in altering the metabolism of testicular spermatozoa and, under almost all conditions of incubation, depressed the synthesis of amino acids from glucose. The results suggest that the effects of testosterone and related steroids in vitro may depend on the age of the spermatozoa after their release from the Sertoli cells; the steroid effects may have important consequences in vivo in relation to sperm maturation.
PITUITARY-THYROID FUNCTION IN THYROTOXIC PATIENTS IN RELATION TO LONG-ACTING THYROID STIMULATOR (LATS) LEVELS
Authors: Fukuchi Minoru , Matsuoka Tohru , Inoue Tadashi , Miyai Kiyoshi , Kumahara Yuichi
Published: December 2008

Serial changes in TSH, LATS, and thyroxine levels in the sera were studied following administration of an antithyroid drug or a thyroid hormone to thyrotoxic patients who became euthyroid after treatment. These changes were simultaneously determined by means of human TSH radioimmunoassay, McKenzie's bioassay. and the method of Murphy, respectively.

Administration of 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole (MMI) led to a decrease in thyroxine concentration and to a 6–10 times increase of the initial values in serum TSH concentration. Following administration of thyroxine at the end of the MMI treatment, the elevated serum TSH was rapidly decreased with an increase in thyroxine concentration. LATS activity, however, showed no significant changes throughout these experiments in which the reciprocal changes between TSH and thyroxine concentrations were observed.
METABOLISM OF [4-14C] PROGESTERONE BY COMPONENTS OF NORMAL HUMAN OVARIES
Authors: Axelrod Leonard R. , Goldzieher Joseph W.
Published: December 2008

Follicular, luteal and whole human ovarian tissue were incubated in vitro with [4-14C] progesterone and cofactors. Each of these tissues showed a potential for carrying out a large variety of enzymatic transformations such as 6β and 17α hydroxylations and 20α and 20β reductions, suggesting that all these »anatomical compartments« have the capability of participating in the biosynthesis of a large number of normal intermediates; and their »normal« or anomalous production would be governed by the regulatory mechanisms peripheral to the ovary which themselves may be altered pathologically from the normal. The presence of 19-nor-C19 compounds is unexplained but substantiated by previous work.
METABOLISM IN VIVO OF [3H] ANDROSTENEDIONE AND [3H] TESTOSTERONE BY ANDROGEN DEPENDENT TISSUES
Authors: Tveter Kjell J. , Aakvaag Asbjörn
Published: December 2008

The radioactive material present in the different prostatic lobes and the seminal vesicles was isolated and identified after intramuscular injection of [1,2-3H] testosterone to adult castrated male rats. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone was the main metabolite, representing 70, 72, 49, 56 and 70%, respectively, of the total activity in the ventral, dorsal and lateral prostate, the coagulating glands and the seminal vesicles one hour after the administration of hormone. The corresponding values for unchanged [3H] testosterone were 16, 6.4, 23, 6 and 15%, respectively. In rectus abdominis muscle less than 0.3% was 5α-dihydrotestosterone, while 37% represented unconverted [3H] testosterone. Of the activity in liver, [3H]-testosterone accounted for 0.2%, whereas less than 0.1% was 5α-dihydrotestosterone.

One hour after administration of [1,2-3H] androst-4-ene-3,17-dione to adult castrated rats, the uptake of radioactivity in the ventral prostate was about 2.7 times higher than in skeletal muscle. In the ventral prostate, 32% of the total activity present at this time was represented by 5α-dihydrotestosterone, while 3.5% was unmetabolized [3H] androstenedione. The corresponding values for the seminal vesicles were 24 and 3.7%, respectively. In the 105 000 × g supernatant fraction of homogenized ventral prostate tissue, part of the radioactivity was associated with soluble macromolecules one hour after the administration of [3H]-androstenedione.
THE EFFECT OF HEPARIN ON ANDROGEN METABOLISM OF INCUBATED RAT ADRENAL SLICES
Authors: Lakatos K. , Koref O. , Steczek K. , Holló I. , Fürr L.
Published: December 2008

Following in vivo heparin treatment, incubated rat adrenals produce substantially less 11β-hydroxy-androstenedione from exogenous precursors, the ratio 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione/androstenedione, which is a measure of 11β-hydroxylase activity, being reduced.
THE METABOLISM OF GLUCOSE BY RAT UTERUS TISSUE IN EARLY PREGNANCY
Authors: Surani M. A. H. , Heald P. J.
Published: December 2008

The oxygen uptake, lactic acid production and differential production of CO2 from [1-14C] glucose and [6-14C] glucose were examined in rat uterine tissue in vitro during the first nine days of pregnancy. After implantation had occurred the uterine areas containing the implanted blastocysts were studied separately from the remaining areas. It was found that the oxygen consumption of the tissues remained reasonably constant until day 7 of pregnancy and thereafter declined markedly in tissues from implanted areas and non implanted areas when expressed in terms of dry wt. When calculated on a DNA basis, the oxygen consumption of the implanted tissue still showed a marked decline by day 9 of pregnancy, whereas that of the non implanted tissue increased. Lactic acid production increased strongly in the implanted tissue but showed little change in the non implanted areas. The C1/C6 ratio increased significantly on day 3 of pregnancy and was consistantly and significantly higher in the implanted tissue in the non implanted tissue. The results are discussed in terms of the energy requirement for implantation.
THE SHORT-TERM MAINTENANCE OF THE ISOLATED SHEEP FOETUS IN THE LAST FIFTH OF PREGNANCY.
Authors: Pierrepoint C. G. , Anderson A. B. M. , Griffiths K. , Turnbull A. C.
Published: December 2008

A method is described for the maintenance of the isolated sheep foetus in the last fifth of gestation. The advantages of this particular technique are described in comparison with others previously reported. The simplicity of the technique without the need for exogenous blood or anticoagulants and the well-maintained physiological condition of the foetus throughout are the essential benefits of the method. The preparation has been used in the study of the metabolism of tritiated pregnenolone and carbon-labelled progesterone.

Preliminary results on the isolation of circulating metabolites are described.
THYROXINE BINDING OF PLASMA PROTEINS IN AUTO-IMMUNE THYROIDITIS
Authors: Bános Csaba , Takó József
Published: December 2008

Agar gel electrophoretic studies were performed on 11 patients suffering from auto-immune thyroiditis in order to evaluate the distribution of tracer 125I-thyroxine in plasma proteins as well as their maximal thyroxine binding capacity. The thyroxine binding of the plasma proteins did not show any appreciable difference from that of the control group. Following treatment with 3 × 10 IU thyrotrophin (Ambinon®) the thyroxine binding capacity of prealbumin remained unchanged while that of thyroxine binding globulin increased in 5 of the 6 cases, the thyroid hormone secretion was normally enhanced and the serological reactions to thyroid auto-antibody formation showed no appreciable alterations. It seems unlikely that proteins other than the usual thyroxine binding plasma proteins are substantially involved in the transport of thyroid hormones in auto-immune thyroiditis.
THE EFFECT OF BLINDING AND PINEALECTOMY IN UNILATERALLY OVARIECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: Dickson Kenneth , Benson Bryant , Tate George
Published: December 2008

Bilateral optic enucleation was observed to block partially the hypertrophy of the remaining ovary in unilaterally ovariectomized rats of a Charles River, CD strain. The inhibitory effects of blinding on compensatory ovarian hypertrophy (COH) were reversed when pinealectomy was performed at the same time as bilateral optic enucleation, three weeks prior to unilateral ovariectomy. Sham pinealectomy was without effect. When only pinealectomy was performed, a slight increase in COH was observed.

Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were estimated by a modification of the Steelman-Pohley bioassay in control, blinded, blindedpinealectomized and pinealectomized rats following unilateral ovariectomy. The increase in serum FSH at four days was blocked by blinding, an effect which was abolished by coupling pinealectomy with optic enucleation. Pinealectomy alone was followed by an increase in serum FSH slightly above control values.

These experiments demonstrate the blockage of COH by blinding and the mediation of this effect of blinding by the pineal gland. They further suggest that the increased secretion of FSH into the blood following unilateral ovariectomy is reduced under pineal influence.
SUPPRESSION OF UTERINE ACTIVITY DURING MENSTRUATION BY EXPANSION OF THE PLASMA VOLUME
Authors: Fuchs Anna-Riitta , Coutinho Elsimar M.
Published: December 2008

Vascular volume was expanded in 10 normal, non-hydrated women with an infusion of 1000 ml of an iso-oncotic solution over 1.5 to 2 h and the effect of such treatment on uterine activity was studied on day 2-4 of the menstrual cycle. Three different plasma expanders were used and the results were similar with them all. The uterine recordings taken by means of a small intra-uterine balloon showed no immediate effect of the infusions, but about two hours later a marked suppression in uterine activity was noted in all and in seven instances the contractions disappeared almost completely and remained absent for two to three hours at least. Vasopressin elicited strong uterine contractions when the activity had been suppressed by plasma expansion. In a control group of 10 menstruating women who received no infusion, a decrease in uterine activity was never observed; on the contrary, the activity increased in 8 of the 10 subjects. In a group of ten receiving isotonic saline, uterine activity either remained unchanged or was somewhat reduced but much less than after infusion of iso-oncotic solutions. During the day a gradual decrease in the hourly diuresis occurred in the control group, whereas in the experimental group the urine output started to increase one to two hours following the infusion. The women receiving a saline infusion showed a slight transient increase in diuresis. It is suggested that the suppression of uterine activity following infusion of iso-oncotic solutions is due to reduction in vasopressin secretion brought about by the increase in vascular volume, and that endogenous vasopressin is a physiological stimulus for the uterine contractions during menstruation.
THE EFFECT OF COITUS ON THE ACTIVITY OF CERTAIN ENZYMES IN THE FEMALE RABBIT HYPOTHALAMUS
Authors: Frith Dona A. , Hooper K. C.
Published: December 2008

Previous work has shown that the activities of certain peptidases in the hypothalamus which inactivate oxytocin change with stimuli which are known to release gonadotrophins. In the work presented here the activity of these enzymes has been studied at various time intervals after mating in the rabbit. It is concluded that there is a relationship between enzyme activity in the hypothalamus and the release of luteinizing hormone releasing factor from the tissue.
THE ACTION OF SOME OVULATION INHIBITORS ON THE RABBIT HYPOTHALAMUS
Authors: Frith Dona A. , Hooper K. C.
Published: December 2008

The previous paper (Frith & Hooper 1971) described the activities of certain hypothalamic enzymes at various times after mating and it was suggested that changes in enzymes levels may be used as an index of the release of gonadotrophic hormones. Using this approach, a study has been made of the action of the ovulation inhibitors chlormadinone acetate, norethindrone, ethinyl oestradiol and oestrone on the rabbit hypothalamus. The four inhibitors increased enzyme activity in the hypothalamus. Previous work has shown that raised levels of enzyme activity are associated with a lowered level of gonadotrophic hormone secretion. It is suggested, therefore, that one of the sites of action of the inhibitors is on polypeptide turnover in the hypothalamus, and it seems possible that this is one of the factors controlling the availability of gonadotrophin releasing factors.
PROPRANOLOL-BLOCKADE OF VASOPRESSIN INDUCED INCREASE IN PLASMA PROGESTERONE IN EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY
Authors: Fylling Petter
Published: December 2008

Following continuous dilation of the uterine cervix or intravenous infusion of vasopressin during the first trimester of human pregnancy, a marked increase in the peripheral plasma progesterone levels was observed. This effect was blocked by simultaneous administration of propranolol (Inderal®), a β-blocking agent. It is suggested that both these stimulating and inhibiting effects might be related to 3′, 5′-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). The results indicate the existence of β-receptors in steroid producing tissues.
HYPOTHALAMIC MONOAMINES AFTER THE NEONATAL ANDROGENIZATION, CASTRATION OR RESERPINE TREATMENT OF THE RAT
Authors: Hyyppä M. , Rinne U. K.
Published: December 2008

The content of hypothalamic monoamines in the early androgenizated, castrated or reserpinized rats has been studied. Female rats were injected intraperitoneally on the 4th day after birth with either testosterone propionate (650 μg) or reserpine (50 μg), and male rats were either injected with reserpine (50 μg) or castrated.

Primary catecholamines were demonstrated histochemically by the formaldehyde fluorescence method in the hypothalami of 30- and 60-day-old rats that had been so treated. Reserpine diminished the intensity of formaldehyde-induced fluorescence at 30 days but had no effect at 60 days. In castrated animals, a slightly increased intensity of yellow-green fluorescence was visible prepuberally in some arcuate cell bodies.

Quantitative estimations of noradrenaline and serotonin content in the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex of rats were in agreement with the results obtained in the histochemical studies. Only reserpine had a tendency to reduce the quantity of monoamines in 30-day-old rats, but was ineffective in 60-day-old rats.

The results are considered to support the idea that the effect of reserpine on the gonadotrophic hormone secretion might be mediated through hypothalamic monoaminergic system.
PLASMA PROGESTERONE LEVELS IN GOATS DURING PREGNANCY MEASURED BY COMPETITIVE PROTEIN BINDING
Authors: Blom Anne Kristine , Lyngset Olav
Published: December 2008

Plasma progesterone concentration at different stages of pregnancy was measured in the blood obtained from the uterine artery (6 goats), the uterine vein (6 goats), and the ovarian vein (11 goats). Progesterone concentration was also measured in the peripheral venous blood before and after extirpation of the ovaries and the uterus (16 goats).

The concentration of progesterone was found to rise gradually in the peripheral and ovarian vein blood to reach a maximum at 90 days of pregnancy. This was followed by a gradual decline with consistent low values of about 7 ng prog./ml 3–4 days before parturition. A significant decrease in peripheral progesterone concentration was found 10 minutes after removing the ovaries and the uterus.

In two goats sampled before and after parturition, the plasma progesterone concentration was found to decrease before parturition and to remain low for at least three days after parturition.
BIOASSAY TECHNIQUES RELATED TO SPERM CAPACITATION
Authors: Dukelow W. Richard
Published: December 2008

The current direct and indirect bioassay techniques used in the study of capacitation are reviewed. Various sources of error are examined, and the advantage of achieving some degree of uniformity in assay techniques employed in different laboratories is stressed.
METABOLISM OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULPHATE AND OESTRONE SULPHATE FOLLOWING IN SITU PLACENTAL PERFUSION AT MIDPREGNANCY
Authors: Schwers J. , Vancrombreucq T. , Govaerts M. , Eriksson G. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

Two midgestation placentas were perfused in situ with a combination of [7α-3H] dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and [4-14C] oestrone sulphate and metabolites were isolated from the placentas, perfusates and maternal urine specimens. Approximately 70 per cent of the perfused radioactive material was recovered from these three sources.

The bulk of the administered radioactive material was recovered in an unchanged form from the perfusates; some 2–4 per cent was excreted in the urine and less than 0.5% was found in the placentas.

The tritium to carbon-14 ratio of the unconjugated material isolated from the perfusates and placentas was higher, and that of the conjugated material recovered from the same sources was lower than the ratio of the administered material. In addition, more tritium than carbon-14 labelled material was present in the urine.

Approximately 2 per cent of the perfused dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate was recovered in the form of phenolic steroids, mostly from the urine. From this source double labelled oestrone, oestriol, 16α-hydroxy-oestrone and 16-epioestriol were isolated. The tritium to carbon-14 ratio of all oestrogens isolated from the urine was higher than that of the perfused material. From the urine specimens 10 to 15 times more double labelled oestriol than oestrone was isolated.
EFFECT OF ANTIGAMMAGLOBULIN-THYROXINE COMPLEX ON THE UREA EXCRETION OF TADPOLES
Authors: Medda A. K.
Published: December 2008

Antithyroglobulin (antigammaglobulin) isolated from thyroglobulin immunized rabbit sera inhibited the thyroxine-induced urea excretion and tail resorption in tadpoles. Albumin produced similar effects. Normal gammaglobulin fraction from rabbit sera or gammaglobulin, Fr. II, did not inhibit the action of T4 in tadpoles. The physiological consequence of thyroxine-protein binding is discussed.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF TESTOSTERONE AND OESTROGENS IN VITRO BY THE TESTICULAR TISSUE FROM PATIENTS WITH KLINEFELTER'S SYNDROME
Authors: Sharma Dinesh C. , Gabrilove J. Lester
Published: December 2008

Testis tissue from patients with the chromatin positive form of Klinefelter's syndrome was incubated with 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone. The ratio of oestrogen to testosterone in the end products of the incubation utilizing 17α-hydroxyprogesterone as substrate was 5 to 10 times the ratio obtained in similar investigations employing testis from normal control subjects. An increased conversion into oestrogen of testosterone utilized as substrate was also observed in the in vitro studies of testis obtained from the patients with Klinefelter's syndrome. These data lend support to the thesis that in the chromatin positive form of Klinefelter's syndrome there is an increased conversion of testosterone into oestrogen in the testis.
DETERMINATION OF URINARY TETRAHYDRO-11-DEOXYCORTISOL AND TETRAHYDRO-11-DEOXYCORTICOSTERONE BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: Koepp P. , Völlmin J. A. , Zachmann M. , Curtius H.-C.
Published: December 2008

A gas chromatographic method on glass capillary columns for the determination of tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol (THS) and tetrahydro-11-deoxycorticosterone (TH-DOC) in urine is described. Using this method, the excretion of THS was measured in 15 normal children and 18 normal adults as well as in 4 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The range of THS excreted was 5–76 μg/24 h (mean 29 ± 22 μg/24 h) in normal adults and < 5–60 μg/24 h in normal children. After metyrapone, 4 normal adults showed a THS excretion of 990 to 8700 μg/24 h. In 3 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to a 21-hydroxylase deficiency there was a slightly elevated and in 1 patient with 11β-hydroxylase deficiency a markedly raised THS excretion.

TH-DOC was not detectable in the urine of normal subjects but was found in concentrations of 120–1100 μg/24 h after metyrapone. The identity of THS and TH-DOC was confirmed by mass spectrometry.
SOME METABOLITES OF SPECIFICALLY TRITIUM LABELLED LYSINE-VASOPRESSIN: IDENTIFICATION BY THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY AND DETERMINATION BY THE LIQUID SCINTILLATON TECHNIQUE
Authors: Pliška V. , Barth T. , Thorn N. A.
Published: December 2008

Specifically tritium labelled lysine-vasopressin, tyrosine2-3-T-lysine8-vasopressin was found to be suitable for the investigation of some aspects of the metabolic fate of neurohypophyseal hormones of the vasopressin type:

Specific labelling at position 3 of the tyrosine aromatic ring allows of the detection of some of the primarily formed metabolites, whereas the metabolites formed secondarily (by the cleavage of non-labelled primary metabolites) are not detected.

The hormone can be separated from the radioactive metabolites by thin-layer chromatography.

After elution from chromatographic plates the approximate amounts of the unsplit hormone and of the labelled metabolites can be determined by the liquid scintillation technique.
BIOIMMUNOASSAY OF GONADOTROPHINS
Authors: Petrusz P. , Diczfalusy E. , Finney D. J.
Published: December 2008

A bioimmunoassay method to estimate specific immunological activities present in gonadotrophin preparations has been introduced (Petrusz & Diczfalusy 1969). The underlying statistical principles are described. A consistent system of unitage is proposed. Biological and immunological aspects of the proposed bioimmunoassay are discussed.
BIOIMMUNOASSAY OF GONADOTROPHINS
Authors: Petrusz P. , Diczfalusy E. , Finney D. J.
Published: December 2008

The theoretical background and statistical aspects of a proposed bioimmunoassay method were described in a previous communication (Petrusz et al. (1971a). The present paper examines experimental conditions which are required to conduct valid 3 + 3 point parallel line bioimmunoassays and presents evidence that, under such conditions, the assay results support the theoretical assumptions on which the statistical model of the assay is based.
EFFECTS OF OESTROGENS ON SERUM THYROXINE-BINDING GLOBULIN CAPACITY AND ON THE PERIPHERAL METABOLISM OF THYROXINE IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATIC CIRRHOSIS
Authors: Zaninovich Angel A. , Degrossi Osvaldo , Gotta Hector
Published: December 2008

The effects of oestrogens on serum thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) capacity and on the peripheral metabolism of thyroxine were studied in patients with hepatic cirrhosis as well as in a group of normal subjects. Oestrogens increased TBG capacity in cirrhosis from 24.7 to 38.4 μg/100 ml whereas in normal subjects TBG capacity was raised from 22.8 to 48.6 μg. While the fractional turnover of thyroxine in cirrhosis did not change with the administration of oestrogens, the space of distribution was reduced. As a result of these changes, the extra-thyroidal thyroxine pool was similar to the pre-treatment values and hence the daily degradation rate of thyroxine remained unchanged.
ACUTE ENZYME HISTOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN THE ZONA GLOMERULOSA OF THE RAT ADRENAL CORTEX
Authors: Elema J. D. , Hardonk M. J. , Arends A.
Published: December 2008

In order to determine whether the increased enzyme histochemical activity of the zona glomerulosa of the rat adrenal cortex, as seen after peritoneal dialysis with 5 % glucose, is mediated by the renin-angiotensin system, and whether the increased activity as seen after total nephrectomy is a direct effect of changes in potassium balance, the effect of suppression of the renin-angiotensin system and of depletion of body potassium on these findings was investigated. Suppression of renin-angiotensin system activity and depletion of body potassium was accomplished by treatment of the rats with 2.5 mg deoxycorticosterone acetate given subcutaneously daily for 4 weeks.

This treatment resulted in a delayed activation of the zona glomerulosa after peritoneal dialysis and a complete lack of reaction after total nephrectomy; the findings support the above mentioned assumptions about the manner in which the zona glomerulosa is activated in these experimental conditions.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRAUMA, PLASMA CORTICOSTERONE AND RETICULOENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN ANAESTHETIZED MICE
Authors: Schildt B. E. , Löw H.
Published: December 2008

The plasma corticosterone (CS) was determined in anaesthetized (pentobarbital 60 mg/kg) mice subjected to thermal or mechanical trauma. Two hours after trauma the CS-level was about 4 times higher than that of the controls (17 μg/100 ml), after which it returned to normal within 24 hours.

If mice were given doses of CS (10 or 100 μg) or ACTH (0.25 or 1.25 μg) which raised the plasma CS to the posttraumatic level, the reticuloendothelial (RES) function, as tested by the disappearance rate and organ uptake of heterologous 51Cr-tagged erythrocytes, was depressed as compared to the similarly anaesthetized control animals. A very good correlation was found between the increase in the plasma CS level and the decrease in the RES function in all groups except for that given 100 μg of CS.

The results suggest that the previously reported post-traumatic RES depression is induced, at least partially, by a release of corticosteroids.
VARIATIONS IN PLASMA RENIN ACTIVITY AND URINARY ALDOSTERONE EXCRETION IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AFTER SALT RESTRICTION AND ACUTE PITUITARY INHIBITION WITH 6-DEHYDRO-16-METHYLENE HYDROCORTISONE
Authors: Peytremann A. , Veyrat R. , Muller A. F.
Published: December 2008

Variations in plasma renin activity and urinary aldosterone excretion were studied in normal subjects submitted to salt restriction and simultaneous inhibition of ACTH production with a new synthetic steroid, 6-dehydro-16-methylene hydrocortisone (STC 407).

At a dose of 10 mg t. i. d. this preparation exerts an inhibitory effect on the pituitary comparable to that of 2 mg of dexamethasone. In subjects maintained on a restricted salt intake, STC 407 does not delay the establishment of an equilibrium in sodium balance. The increases in endogenous aldosterone production and in plasma renin activity are also similar to those seen in the control subjects. A possible mineralocorticoid effect of STC 407 can be excluded. Under identical experimental conditions, the administration of dexamethasone yielded results comparable to those obtained with STC 407.
THE ROLE OF TESTOSTERONE AND ANDROSTENEDIONE AS PRECURSORS OF EPITESTOSTERONE IN GUINEA PIGS (IN VIVO AND IN VITRO STUDIES)
Authors: Szamatowicz Marian , Drosdowsky Michel , Jayle Max F.
Published: December 2008

After injection of [7α-3H] androstenedione and [4-14C] testosterone into male and female guinea pigs, doubly labelled aetiocholanolone, 5α-androstanedione and epiandrosterone were identified in the urine. No epitestosterone was detected. Ovaries, testes, adrenals and liver slices were incubated with the same precursors. Epitestosterone production was observed in all organs except in the adrenals. According to the epitestosterone 3H/14C ratio, it can be concluded that in guinea pigs an interconversion of testosterone, androstenedione and epitestosterone takes place. In liver, androstenedione is preferentially converted to epitestosterone without sex differences, whereas in ovary and testis epitestosterone derives preferentially from testosterone.