bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TREATMENT OF THYROID CRISIS BY BETA-ADRENERGIC BLOCKADE
Authors: Buckle Richard M.
Published: December 2008

Two patients in thyroid crisis were treated with the beta-blocking agents pronethalol and propranalol. Initial specific treatment with iodine and carbimazole and supportive therapy, which included sedation, chlorpromazine and steroids were without effect, and both patients deteriorated. Treatment with pronethalol or propranol was associated with marked symptomatic improvement; the pulse, temperature and respiratory rates falling rapidly, whilst hyperexcitability, restlessness and tremor subsided. In one patient cardiac arrhythmia was controlled. Crisis was associated with a marked elevation of plasma free fatty acids, the levels of which fell abruptly with treatment. Beta-adrenergic blocking agents may be of value in the management of crisis until specific anti-thyroid therapy becomes effective.
STUDIES ON THE METABOLISM OF C-19 STEROIDS IN THE HUMAN FOETO-PLACENTAL UNIT
Authors: Benagiano G. , Mancuso S. , Mancuso F. P. , Wiqvist N. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

Four female and four male previable human foetuses (18th to 21st week of gestation) were perfused with a combination of 3H-labelled testosterone (T) and 14C-labelled androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (A) and the principal unconjugated products of dehydrogenation and reduction as well as testosterone sulphate were studied in the perfusates and various foetal tissues.

14C-labelled T derived from the metabolism of perfused A, and 3H-labelled A, originating from the perfused T, were isolated from all sources studied; as much as 2.1% of the administered A was isolated in the form of T-14C and 3.6% of the administered T was isolated as A-3H. No statistically significant sex difference was found in the interconversion of T and A; however, the extent of interconversion in one female foetus differed highly significantly (P < 0.001) from that taking place in all other foetuses.

The isotopic ratios of the re-isolated A and T indicated that the interconversion was complete in the liver, partial in the gastrointestinal tract and rather limited in all other tissues.

No reduction products were detected in the adrenals. From the other tissues the following unconjugated 5β-reduction products were isolated: 5β-androstane-3,17-dione from the gastrointestinal tract, liver and perfusates, 3α-hydroxy-5β-androstan-17-one (gastrointestinal tract, liver, carcass and perfusates), 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol (liver), 17β-hydroxy-5β-androstan-3-one (liver).

The following unconjugated 5α-reduction products were isolated: 5α-androstane-3,17-dione (gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs, carcass and perfusates), 3α-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one (gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs, carcass and perfusates), 3β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one (lungs, carcass and perfusates), and 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one (lungs, carcass and perfusates).

The 5β-forms were predominant in the liver, their quantity exceeding that of 5α-forms by at least a factor of 100, the 5α-forms dominated the pattern in all other tissues. A sex difference in the reductive metabolism of A and T could not be ascertained. Testosterone sulphate was a major metabolite in the gastrointestinal tract and adrenals, but was not detected in the liver.

On the basis of the isotopic ratios of the isolated compounds a concept is presented describing the principal pathways of the reductive metabolism of A and T in various tissues of human foetuses at midpregnancy.
METHODS FOR THE ESTIMATION OF GROUPED URINARY STEROIDS BY QUANTITATION AS 17-KETOSTEROIDS
Authors: Larsen Knud
Published: December 2008

Methods for the estimation of urinary total 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, both total and 11-deoxy and 11-oxy fractions are described. It was found that for the hydrolysis of 17-ketosteroid conjugates in a boiling water bath better results were obtained by boiling the material for 7 minutes with hydrochloric acid 4 mol/l than for 35 minutes with hydrochloric or sulphuric acid 1 mol/l. The 17-hydroxy-corticosteroids were estimated using the reaction sequence – borohydride reduction, periodate oxidation, basic hydrolysis, partition chromatography and quantitative estimation of the 17-ketosteroids produced. Basic hydrolysis of the formates produced by periodate oxidation was complete at pH 13, but not at pH 9. Quantitation of the 17-ketosteroids was carried out by a modified Zimmermann reaction, extraction of unionised colourless forms of the reaction products, conversion of these into quinoid forms and measuring the extinction at 530 nm. KOH 4 mol/l, methanol as the reaction medium and incubation for 35 minutes at 13–15° C were found to be optimal for colour development. A two phase system consisting of a water phase with KOH concentrations of less than 0.16 mol/l and a pure dichloromethane phase produced optimal conditions for the extraction of the unionised stable reaction products of androsterone, aetiocholanolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and 11-hydroxy-aeticcholanolone. The concentration of the methanol in the water phase was 20% (v/v). Excellent specificity was obtained for the technique used, when evaluated by the absorption spectra for urinary 17-ketosteroids and by comparing the values obtained with and without purification by partition chromatography. It is concluded that the methods are simple, reliable and suitable for routine analysis.
DIE ENDEMISCHE STRUMA IN TIROL
Authors: Riccabona G.
Published: December 2008

Iodine metabolism was studied in 19 patients with endemic goitre and in 3 persons, in whom there was no evidence for thyroid disease.

The cases with normal thyroids showed a high radioiodine concentration in the thyroid, while their thyroglobulin had a high specific activity and the hydrolysate of their thyroids contained 125I-thyronine in relatively high amounts. In their saliva and gastric juice the 125I-concentration was normal. In goitrous persons, however, the thyroidal 125I-concentration was low, the concentration of radioiodine in saliva and gastric juice elevated. In euthyroid goitres there was evidence of a large protein-bound iodine pool with low turnover, the hydrolysate of these thyroids contained only little 125I-thyronine. The uptake of radioiodine in the thyroid and the daily urinary iodine excretion were the same in goitrous and normal persons. In one case an iodide-organification-defect could be demonstrated. The findings are considered as evidence for the existence of 2 thyroidal iodine pools in goitres, which impair adaptation to the proven iodine deficiency in Tyrol. A decision, however, whether this phenomenon is of primary pathogenetic significance or whether it just represents secondary regressive changes cannot be made.
PERFUSION STUDIES OF THE HUMAN PLACENTA
Authors: de Miquel Montserrat , Troen Philip
Published: December 2008

Mid-pregnancy human placentas were perfused in vitro with 14C-17α-hydroxyprogesterone. The major conversion product was 14C-17α,20α-dihydroxy-pregn-4-en-3-one in an uncorrected yield of 24% from the starting 17-hydroxyprogesterone. Traces of 14C-androstenedione, 14C-oestrone and 14C-17β-oestradiol detected suggest 17–20 desmolase activity in mid-pregnancy placentas.
EXCRETION OF FOLLICLE-STIMULATING AND LUTEINIZING HORMONE DURING LACTATION
Authors: Keller Paul J.
Published: December 2008

The excretion of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone (FSH, LH) during lactation in women was studied by biological methods in individual and pooled samples of urine. During the first and second postpartum weeks, the FSH activity was low and the LH activity quite high, probably due to contamination with remaining chorionic gonadotrophin. Thereafter the FSH and LH values and the relationship between these hormones did not differ from those found during the normal menstrual cycle. Moreover, an increase in the LH excretion was observed in one nursing mother, though ovulation and menstrual bleeding did not follow. It was concluded, that anovulation and amenorrhoea during lactation might be due to ovarian refractoriness by an unknown mechanism, rather than to gonadotrophic dysfunction.
URINARY FSH AND LH EXCRETION FOLLOWING COMBINED TREATMENT WITH NORETHISTERONE ACETATE AND ETHINYL OESTRADIOL AND NORETHISTERONE ACETATE ONLY
Authors: McCormick William G. , Carlborg Lars , Gemzell Carl
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretions of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and pregnanediol were studied for five consecutive months in six young healthy females following combined treatment with norethisterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol and norethisterone acetate alone. The following effects were observed:

The »rebound effect« of gestagen-oestrogen therapy was confirmed and shown to be due to an increase in FSH and not LH secretion.

The »rebound effect« was not demonstrated with gestagen therapy alone.

Depression of FSH and LH excretion was shown during the cycles in which either a gestagen-oestrogen combination or gestagen alone was given.

Loss of midcycle peaks of FSH and LH was also shown during treatment with the gestagen-oestrogen combination and gestagen alone.

A loss of midcycle peaks of LH was also found in the untreated cycles following treatment.

A close association of FSH midcycle peak and basal body temperature (BBT) shift was observed.

The possibility of random spontaneous ovulation during treatment was inferred from the pregnanediol data.

The interaction of FSH and LH is discussed in relation to superovulation.

The single determination of gonadotrophin has been shown to be of little value clinically.
ABNORMAL URINARY ANDROSTERONE/ETIOCHOLANOLONE RATIO IN HYPOTHALAMIC DISTURBANCES IN MAN
Authors: Johnsen Svend G.
Published: December 2008

The urinary androsterone/etiocholanolone (A/E) ratio was determined in 233 normal subjects. Compared with these, a group of 28 cases of adiposo-genital dystrophy (a.-g. d.) in boys and men showed a very considerable increase in the A/E ratio. It is shown by analyses in 23 cases of primary testicular failure and male castration and in 17 cases of exogenous obesity that this change in a.-g. d. is not secondary to the main symptoms, i. e. obesity and hypogonadism; neither can it be explained on a thyroid basis. Studies of 2362 fractionated 17-KS-determinations performed in all kinds of endocrine disorders showed that an elevated A/E ratio is found in certain conditions all of which are of hypothalamic origin. Furthermore it was found that an elevated A/E ratio was present in verified organic damage of the hypothalamus.

In a number of a.-g. d. cases the A/E ratio was followed up to 10 years through the puberal age. Usually the ratio remained unaffected by the great puberal rise in the excretion of A and E. In contrast to the others some patients showed a fall in the ratio during puberty and these usually showed satisfactory gonadal development.

Determination of the A/E ratio before and after the administration of a large dose of testosterone propionate was done in 23 cases of hypothalamic dysfunction and in 22 other cases. The abnormal A/E ratios in hypothalamic cases were reproduced during the metabolism of exogenous testosterone, which shows that the abnormal ratios originate from an abnormal androgen metabolism and not from abnormal hormone production. The findings indicate that there is, in man, a central regulation of androgen metabolism in which the hypothalamus is involved. The diagnostic, pathogenetic and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
CORTISOL SECRETION DURING ACUTE BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN MAN
Authors: Cornil A. , Copinschi G. , Leclercq R. , Franckson J. R. M.
Published: December 2008

The adrenocortical function has been studied in ten subjects suffering from acute infection with high fever. Measurements were performed during the acute stage and again after recovery. In all patients, cortisol secretion was higher during the acute period (averaging 37.8 ± 8.3 mg/d) than after recovery (21.0 ± 7.0 mg/d). Urinary 17-ketogenic steroids were also significantly increased during the infection: 12.9 ± 5.4 mg/d, as against 8.2 ± 2.4 mg/d during convalescence. However, the proportion of secreted cortisol converted into urinary 11-oxy-17-ketogenic steroids was significantly lower during the acute stage than after recovery.
ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM DILUTION AND CORTISOL ANTAGONISM IN THE RAT FAT PAD BIOASSAY OF INSULIN
Authors: Lundquist Ingmar
Published: December 2008

The dilution effect of normal human serum was readily detectable at small dilutions (1:3, 1:4) and was present to about the same extent both in males and females. It was found to be significantly greater in elderly as compared to younger subjects.

Adrenalectomized rats had a significantly lower SILA level in undiluted serum than normal rats. Alloxan diabetic rats had a SILA level in undiluted serum, of about one third of the SILA level in normal rats.

In contrast to normal human serum, any dilution effect of normal rat serum was detectable only at very high dilutions (1:27). The same pattern was found when serum from adrenalectomized and alloxan diabetic rats were assayed. The dilution effect in human serum is considered to be due mainly to a species difference.

The smallest concentration of cortisol which produced a significant suppression of glucose utilization (as measured on the 14CO2 production from Glucose-1-14C) by rat epididymal fat pads in vitro, in the absence of insulin, was of the order of 0.0025 μg per ml (7 × 10−9 m). A linear log dose-response relationship was found between 0.0025 and 0.25 μg per ml and thus was well within the physiological range.

Physiological concentrations of cortisol significantly suppressed the effect of submaximal concentrations of insulin on the 14CO2 production from Glucose-1-14C by the epididymal adipose tissue. A maximal insulin concentration abolished this cortisol effect. However, an extremely high concentration of cortisol (25 μg per ml) still inhibited the effect of 10 U insulin per ml to a slight extent. Addition of puromycin (5 × 10−5 m) abolished the suppressive effect of a physiological concentration of cortisol on insulin stimulated 14CO2 formation from Glucose-1-14C. The mechanism of the observed antagonism between insulin and cortisol at physiological concentrations is assumed to be of the competitive type mediated not by cortisol itself, but by a protein, the formation of which is induced by the action of cortisol.
THE EFFECT OF HYSTERECTOMY ON PARAMETERS OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE SECRETION IN PSEUDOPREGNANT RATS
Authors: Christian Robert Meade , Yuan Lily , Rothchild Irving
Published: December 2008

The possibility that the luteotrophic effect of hysterectomy in the pseudopregnant rat is due to a decreased release of luteinizing hormone (LH) was investigated. The problem was approached indirectly by measuring pituitary LH concentration (Ovarian Ascorbic Acid Depletion Assay) (OAAD) in intact and hysterectomized pseudopregnant rats killed on various days of pseudopregnancy. Values obtained in the two groups were not significantly different. The size of the interstitial cells in the ovaries of the two groups of pseudopregnant rats was also not significantly different. The results do not offer support to the hypothesis that the uterus affects the secretion of LH, but rather suggest that it has a direct effect on the corpora lutea.
EFFECT OF ETHANOL ON UTERINE ACTIVITY DURING SUCKLING IN POST-PARTUM WOMEN
Authors: Wagner Gorm , Fuchs Anna-Riitta
Published: December 2008

Previous experiments indicated that in the rabbit, prior administration of ethyl alcohol inhibits the release of oxytocin elicited by suckling. According to preliminary studies, the same applies also in the human. In the present studies, the effect of ethanol on the milk-ejection reflex in post-partum women was investigated more thoroughly.

The milk-ejection reflex was induced by suckling of the infant. The uterine response, recorded by external tocography, was used as a measure of the oxytocin release. Alcohol was administered by mouth as whisky or brandy in suitable dilutions in amounts varying from 0.5 to 1.1 g/kg body weight. By comparison of the uterine response to endogenous (released) and exogenous (injected) oxytocin, it was estimated that about 100–250 mU oxytocin are released by the suckling stimulus in the early puerperium.

When alcohol was administered before the application of the stimulus, the release of oxytocin was partially or completely inhibited, but the uterus continued to respond to exogenous oxytocin. As shown previously in the rabbit, the effect of alcohol must thus be on the central release mechanism of oxytocin and not on the peripheral response of the target organ to oxytocin. The degree of inhibition of the oxytocin release was dependent on the alcohol concentration in the blood. With an average blood alcohol concentration of 0.07 per cent the uterine response to suckling during one nursing period was less than half of that observed under normal conditions.
INTERRUPTION OF PREGNANCY, INDUCTION OF OVULATION AND DELAYED PSEUDOPREGNANCY FOLLOWING SUPPRESSION OF LUTEAL FUNCTION
Authors: Kraicer P. F. , Shelesnyak M. C. , Tandlich Ada
Published: December 2008

The responses of rats to acute luteal insufficiency induced by ergocornine or by luteectomy (removal of the functional corpora lutea) on three different days of pregnancy were compared. Both treatments interrupted pregnancy; oestrus and ovulation recurred, followed usually by a pseudopregnancy. Weights of the adrenals, pituitary and pineal were not affected. Suppression of luteal secretion causes an increase of gonadotrophin secretion as well as sensitization of follicles to gonadotrophic stimulation which lead to ovulation. The corpora lutea formed at this ovulation usually become functional, suggesting the persistance of luteotrophic secretions despite the recurrence of ovulation.
RADIOIMMUNOASSAY STUDIES WITH HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE AND A PITUITARY LIPID MOBILIZING FACTOR
Authors: Norman N. , Turter Aa. R.
Published: December 2008

A description is given of a radioimmunoassay procedure for human growth hormone (HGH). Particular emphasis is placed on problems encountered with aggregation and unspecific serum protein binding of the 125I radioiodinated HGH.

Immunization of rabbits and guinea pigs with a highly purified lipid mobilizing factor (LMF) from human pituitary glands was attempted. This did not result in antibody formation towards LMF, but gave high titers against HGH. The observation thus suggests that LMF may have structural features in common with the HGH molecule. The antibody towards HGH may, however, also have been produced by a minimal contamination with HGH in the LMF. It was shown that detectable antibody formation towards HGH could be produced in rabbits with as little as 5 μg HGH.

During the study of two highly purified HGH preparations – the one containing only growth promoting or somatotrophic activity, the other had adipokinetic activity as well - it was shown that the employed radioimmunoassay is specifically directed against the growth promoting part of HGH.

Changes in the serum concentration of a possible physiologically acting LMF could therefore not be recorded, neither by a direct assay nor indirectly. On the other hand, the specificity of the HGH assay towards the »somatotrophin proper« assures that it is indeed this hormone that varies in concentration in response to insulin hypoglycaemia, exercise and postprandially. The stress of acute cardiac infarction did not increase growth hormone in the blood.
INTERCONVERSION OF PROGESTERONE AND 20α-DIHYDROPROGESTERONE AND OF ANDROSTENEDIONE AND TESTOSTERONE IN VITRO BY BLOOD AND ERYTHROCYTES
Authors: van der Molen H. J. , Groen D.
Published: December 2008

Peripheral venous blood and erythrocytes from normal men and women, as well as from dogs, rabbits and sheep were incubated with 14C-labeled progesterone*, 20α-dihydroprogesterone, androstenedione and testosterone. The presence in blood and erythrocytes of a 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, catalyzing the interconversion progesterone ⇄ 20α-dihydroprogesterone, and of a 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, catalyzing the interconversion androstenedione ⇆ testosterone was observed. Incubation with washed erythrocytes in the presence of glucose and several co-factors favoured the formation of the reduced compounds: 20α-dihydroprogesterone or testosterone. Incubations with washed erythrocytes, without addition of glucose and co-factors, favoured the formation of the oxidized compounds: progesterone and androstenedione. Incubation of steroids with whole blood, resulted in metabolism of progesterone to 20α-dihydroprogesterone and of androstenedione to testosterone. The formation of the product during incubation in vitro increased linearly with time of incubation (15—180 min). Incubations of 20 ml blood or the equivalent amount of erythrocytes with substrate amounts of steroids varying from 0.5 to 3000 μg, gave a linear increase in the amount of product formed. The possible significance of these observations in vitro for steroid metabolism in vivo is discussed.
THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN GRANULOSAL LUTEIN CELL OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF GESTATION
Authors: Pedersen Poul Hjortkjær , Larsen Jørgen Falck
Published: December 2008

The ultrastructure of granulosal lutein cells of 13 corpora lutea in early human pregnancy was studied. The predominant cytoplasmic element was the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. No convincing signs of degeneration of the lutein cells could be demonstrated within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, as the mitochondria as well as the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum were well preserved. However, lysosomes may be slightly more numerous in older specimens and the subendothelial space increases with the age of gestation. A particular type of multilaminated structure one to five micron in diameter was observed, particularly in the earliest specimens. The possible intracellular location of steroid synthesis is discussed.
STUDIES ON EOSINOPHIL GRANULOCYTES
Authors: Josefsson B.
Published: December 2008

The possible role of histamine as a mediator of the uterine eosinophilia induced by oestrogen was tested in the rat by the intrauterine administration of drugs. Histamine and 48/80 did not give rise to any eosinophils in the uterus of spayed animals, nor was it possible to suppress the oestrogenic induction of eosinophilia in the organ by the antihistamine diphenhydramine. Cycloheximide, however, completely inhibited the eosinophilic response to oestrogen indicating that the promotion of eosinophilia is a primary oestrogenic effect.
SERUM CALCIUM HOMEOSTASIS IN RADIOIODINE TREATED THYROTOXIC SUBJECTS AS MEASURED BY ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRA-ACETATE INFUSION
Authors: Goldsmith R. E. , King L. R. , Zalme E. , Bahr G. K.
Published: December 2008

Seventy four subjects treated for thyrotoxicosis with radioactive iodine (131I) were studied by means of an ethylenediamine tetra-acetate (EDTA) infusion such as was described by Kaiser & Pensold (1959). The response of these patients to a standard hypocalcaemic insult was followed by means of serum calcium, and in some instances serum inorganic phosphorus, analyses. The treated subjects were separated into euthyroid, hypothyroid and hypothyroid-treated-with-replacement-thyroid-medication groups. These groups were compared to a fourth group of 29 normal subjects. The results suggest that impairment of calcium mobilization was present in the irradiated subjects. However, most of the impairment could be correlated with the presence of hypothyroidism, and no loss of parathyroid reserve seemed indicated by the data.
IN VITRO CORTICOSTEROID BIOSYNTHESIS IN ADRENALS OF RATS URAEMIC AFTER BILATERAL NEPHRECTOMY
Authors: Steinacker H. G. , Vecsei P. , Lommer D. , Wolff H. P.
Published: December 2008

After bilateral nephrectomy, adrenal sections of uraemic rats were incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate glucose solution. The in vitro production of 18-OH-corticosterone, aldosterone, 18-OH-deoxycorticosterone and corticosterone from 4-14C-progesterone, 1,2-3H-deoxycorticosterone and the in vitro production of aldosterone and corticosterone from endogenous precursors were investigated. The biosynthesis of corticosterone from endogenous precursors was diminished, while the percentage conversion of labelled progesterone and deoxycorticosterone to corticosterone remained unchanged. Aldosterone production from endogenous precursors was not reduced and the incorporation of precursor radioactivity into aldosterone, 18-OH-corticosterone and 18-OH-deoxycorticosterone was increased. It was concluded that in the rat, aldosterone biosynthesis can also be maintained in the absence of the renin angiotensin system and that metabolic changes, possibly hyperpotassaemia or a decrease in the Na/K ratio, may have caused a specific activation of C18-hydroxylating enzymes.
THE EFFECT OF EXOGENOUS CORTICOTROPHIN ON STEROID EXCRETION IN THE NEWBORN
Authors: Lauritzen C. , Shackleton C. H. L. , Mitchell F. L.
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion of the individual 3β-hydroxy-Δ5 steroids together with cortisol and the chromatographic bands of material containing its tetrahydrometabolites, have been studied in early infancy before and after stimulation by exogenous corticotrophin (ACTH). The average increase in the excretion of the Δ5 steroids after stimulation is relatively small (less than 185%) compared with the increase in cortisol and its metabolites (greater than 600%) and it is suggested that ACTH stimulation cannot be solely responsible for the formation of the considerable quantities of Δ5 steroids in early infancy and the high Δ5 steroid/cortisol production ratio in utero.
STOFFWECHSEL VON 16-OXO-ÖSTRON BEIM MENSCHEN
Authors: Breuer J. A. , Breuer Friederike , Breuer H.
Published: December 2008

To each of two male subjects, 10 mg of 16-oxo-oestrone was administered intramuscularly. By various microchemical reactions, the following phenolic steroids were identified in urine: oestriol, 16-epi-oestriol, 16-oxo-17β-oestradiol, 16α-hydroxyoestrone, 16β-hydroxyoestrone, 17-epi-oestriol and 16,17-epi-oestriol.

Calculated on the basis of the administered amount of 16-oxo-oestrone, the average total excretion during the 5 days of the experiment was 12% for oestriol, 3.9% for 16-epi-oestriol, 2.9% for 16-oxo-17β-oestradiol, 1.5% for 16α-hydroxyoestrone, 0.7% for 16β-hydroxyoestrone, 0.6% for 17-epi-oestriol and 0.3% for 16,17-epi-oestriol. These results confirm previous experiments with human liver slices and show that, in addition to 17β-, 16α- and 16β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductases, a 17α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase is present in man which reacts with phenolic steroids.

The total recoveries of all reduction products of 16-oxo-oestrone were 26% for subject A and 18% for subject B. These relatively low values suggest that 16-oxo-oestrone is subjected in man not only to a reduction but also to an oxidative metabolism which may be of quantitative significance.
THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE ON CELL RENEWAL AND MITOTIC CYCLES IN SEX ACCESSORY GLANDS OF CASTRATED MICE
Authors: Tuohimaa Pentti , Niemi Mikko
Published: December 2008

The effect of testosterone propionate on cell renewal rate and mitotic cycle of castrated mice was investigated. 0.25 mg of the hormone was given thrice at 24 h intervals and 50 μc of 3H-thymidine was injected simultaneously with the last hormone injection. After this the mice were killed at 1 to 2 h intervals. Ventral prostates and seminal vesicles were weighed and the thymidine incorporation into their epithelia determined in radioautograms. A piece of proximal small intestine was used as reference tissue.

The labelling index in the castrated control animals was 1.3 for the seminal vesicle; 68 h after testosterone treatment it was 44. The figures for the ventral prostate were 1.9 and 37, and for the small intestine 44 and 57. The mitotic index in the prostate of the experimental animals and that in the intestine of all the animals was 0.5; in the seminal vesicle it was 0.4. The mitotic index in the accessory glands of the control mice was very low. The specific activity of DNA per nucleus was higher in the hormone treated than in the control animals.

The cell cycle (TC) in the prostate was shortened from about 900 h to 20 h after testosterone. The synthetic phase (TS) was shortened from 16 to 7 h, presynthetic (TG1) phase from 900 to 10 h, whereas the postsynthetic phase (TG2) remained unchanged. The corresponding figures for the seminal vesicle were: TG2 from 4.5 to 0.5 h, TS from 12 to 7 h, TG1 from 900 to 10 h and TC from 900 to 18 h. The changes in the intestinal epithelium were less marked: TC from 22 to 16 h, TS from 8.5 to 8 h, TG1 from 12 to 6 h, while TG2 remained unchanged.
7-HYDROXYLATION OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE IN HUMAN FOETAL LIVER, ADRENALS AND CHORION IN VITRO
Authors: Sulcová Jarmila , Čapková Alena , Jirásek J. Ev. , Stárka L.
Published: December 2008

Tissues from 30 human foetuses aged 5 to 22 weeks were used for the investigation of Δ5-steroid 7-hydroxylase activity. Homogenised liver, adrenals and chorion were incubated with dehydroepiandrosterone or 4-14C-dehydroepiandrosterone; 7α- and 7β-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone were identified as incubation products. Conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone to 7-hydroxylated compounds per 100 mg tissue was found to be highest in the liver and lowest in the chorion. No definite dependence of 7-hydroxylase activity on the developmental stage of the foetus was observed.
STIMULATION OF ALDOSTERONE BIOSYNTHESIS IN VITRO BY SEROTONIN
Authors: Müller Jürg , Ziegler Walter H.
Published: December 2008

The dialysable fraction of rat serum, which was previously shown to stimulate aldosterone production in rat adrenal sections, was chromatographed on Sephadex G-25. Fluorescence spectra indicated that a 5-hydroxyindole derivative was present in the active eluate fraction. The aldosterone-stimulating activity of serum dialysate had a similar retention volume to serotonin and 5-hydroxytryptophan, but was separated from other indole derivatives. Addition of small amounts of pure serotonin to the incubation medium led to a significant and dose-dependent increase of aldosterone and deoxycorticosterone production but did not affect corticosterone production. At higher concentrations, 5-methoxytryptamine, bufotenine and 5-hydroxytryptophan also stimulated aldosterone biosynthesis, whereas a number of other substances chemically or pharmacologically related to serotonin were found to be inactive. Two different serotonin antagonists completely blocked the aldosterone-stimulating effects of serotonin and rat serum but did not influence aldosterone stimulation by ACTH. Serotonin stimulated the incorporation of tritiated cholesterol into aldosterone but not the incorporation of tritiated pregnenolone, indicating that it acts on the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone.
STUDIES ON HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN
Authors: Schuurs A. H. W. M. , de Jager E. , Homan J. D. H.
Published: December 2008

Preparations of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) with varying degrees of homogeneity were investigated immunochemically. The preparations were compared qualitatively by combined starch gel electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis, by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis in agar, and, quantitatively by haemagglutination inhibition and by complement fixation reactions. The components present in pure HCG preparations which differed in electrophoretic mobilities, in N-acetyl neuraminic acid (NANA) content and in biological potencies, appeared to be immunochemically identical. This implies that results of immunochemical and biological estimations need not correlate with each other. This finding is compared with relevant data in the literature.

It is proposed to use the 2nd International Standard for HCG for both immunochemical and biological estimations, but, because of the fundamental difference between the results of the two types of estimations, to express the immunochemically determined values in »International Immunochemical Units« (IIU).
INSULIN SECRETION FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATION OF SECRETIN IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Deckert Torsten
Published: December 2008

Insulin secretion following the intravenous injection of 75 units of secretin was studied in 8 non-obese diabetics of various types. Six of these patients were also tested by intravenous injection of 25 g of d-glucose. While the secretion of insulin was greatly reduced following stimulation with glucose, it was normal or greater than normal following the administration of secretin. This is taken to indicate that while the release of insulin from the β-cell into the blood stream is normal in the diabetic organism, it is the glucose metabolism in the β-cell that is disturbed.
THYROGLOBULIN IMMUNITY
Authors: Medda A. K. , Premachandra B. N.
Published: December 2008

Metamorphosis of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles immersed in a medium containing thyroxine (T4) occurred in 58 days, whereas 79 days were required for tadpoles treated with albumin + T4 complex in media, and at 121 days 50 % metamorphosis occurred in the group whose medium contained normal rabbit serum + T4. No metamorphosis occurred in tadpoles which had rabbit antiporcine thyroglobulin + T4 complex in media. Similarly the retardation of hind limb growth in comparison to the control at 58 days was most severe in animals treated with antithyroglobulin + T4 complex in media (74.3 % depression) followed by normal serum + T4 (60.1 % less) and bovine albumin + T4 complex (30 % inhibition) treated animals. In further investigations, in comparison to controls (only 125I-T4 in media), 62.4%, 77.0%, and 82.4% less 125I-T4 concentration was seen in viscera, tail, and carcass respectively of tadpoles treated with immune globulin + 125I-T4 in the media, whereas no change was seen in the group treated with normal gammaglobulin + 125I-T4 complex; similarly no changes in visceral 125I-T4 concentration were noted in groups whose media contained thyroglobulin in complex with 125I-T4. Present investigations therefore show that normal rabbit serum (apparently any good T4 binding protein) is a potent inhibitor of metamorphosis of tadpoles, the effectiveness mediated at least in part, on the inability of the larva to split thyroxine-protein complexes in their body. Antiporcine thyroglobulin rabbit serum was shown to be superior to normal rabbit serum in inhibiting tadpole metamorphosis, evidently due to additional T4 binding sites provided by the immune globulin. Available evidence indicates that antithyroglobulin binding of T4 is distinct and is evidently not due to thyroglobulin that may be in complex with the thyroid antibody.
EFFECTS OF TRANSPLANTED PITUITARY GLANDS FROM NON-ARTERIOSCLEROTIC VIRGIN AND ARTERIOSCLEROTIC BREEDER DONORS TO HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: Wexler Bernard C. , Saroff Jack
Published: December 2008

Hypophysectomized female weanling rats were transplanted with heterotrophic pituitary glands removed from male and female virgin and breeder rats. The virgin rats were normal whereas the breeder rats had varying degrees of arteriosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and other degenerative diseases. The multiple ectopic pituitary glands, regardless of donor source, were equally effective in maintaining growth, thymus, adrenal, heart, kidney, and ovarian weight and serum corticosterone levels well above the hypophysectomized controls but not equal to normal controls. Histological evidence rather than gravimetric or serum corticosterone data suggests that the pituitary glands of repeatedly bred female rats may contain extra gonadotrophic and adrenocorticotrophic activity.
UTERINE ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE AND BLASTOCYST IMPLANTATION DURING ALTERED THYROID ACTIVITY
Authors: Holland James P. , Calhoun F. J. , Harris N. N. , Walton N. W.
Published: December 2008

Using the technique of delayed implantation of blastocysts in the rat, hyperthyroidism counteracts the effects of progesterone deficiency upon blastocyst survival and implantation while hypothyroidism contributes to the severity of the progesterone deficiency. In non-pregnant rats, treated in a manner to duplicate the delayed implantation experiments, the localization pattern of alkaline phosphatase within the uterine endometrium closely corresponds with the fate of the blastocysts. Hyperthyroidism during progesterone deficiency restores to normal the distribution of uterine alkaline phosphatase while hypothyroidism is associated with a further depletion of uterine alkaline phosphatase. Oxygen consumption studies indicate that the changes in the alkaline phosphatase are not associated with changes in the general uterine metabolism.
OBESITY AS AN ADDITIONAL FACTOR IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF DIABETES
Authors: Luft Rolf , Cerasi Erol , Andersson Bo
Published: December 2008

Plasma insulin response to glucose infusion was measured in obese subjects with normal and decreased intravenous glucose tolerance.

In obese non-diabetic subjects there was insulin hyperresponsiveness to glucose accompanied by peripheral resistance to endogenous insulin. In the obese diabetic subjects insulin response was of the type seen in non-obese diabetics; in no such instance could insulin hyperresponsiveness to glucose be obtained.

It is suggested that obesity precipitates diabetes only in subjects with preexisting impairment of insulin response, i. e. in prediabetics. Subjects with unimpaired insulin secreting capacity would overcome the diabetogenic effect of obesity by compensatory hyperinsulinism.
TOTAL URINARY HYDROXYPROLINE EXCRETION BEFORE AND AFTER HYPOPHYSECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH BONE METASTASES FROM BREAST CARCINOMA
Authors: Ditzel Jørn , Jordal Robert , Riskær Niels
Published: December 2008

Recent investigations indicate that the urinary excretion of total hydroxyproline is a measure of the metabolism of collagen, particularly the bone matrix.

The total hydroxyproline excretion has been determined in 28 women with bone metastases from breast cancer, and in 12 healthy volunteers. In 22 of the 28 cases with bone metastases the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline was measured shortly before and repeated shortly after hypophysectomy. In addition, the measurements were repeated 3 to 12 months after hypophysectomy in 8 of the patients.

The mean excretion of hydroxyproline was significantly higher in patients with bone metastases from breast cancer (52.9 mg/24 h) than in healthy subjects (22.1 mg/24 h). A correlation was found between the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and serum alkaline phosphatase levels.

The mean excretion of total hydroxyproline was 51.0 mg/24 h before hypophysectomy and 63.8 mg/24 h after hypophysectomy. This difference is not statistically significant.

Determinations of urinary hydroxyproline excretion in patients with breast cancer has not been found of great value in the assessment of the clinical condition of these patients.
EFFECT OF THYROCALCITONIN AND THYROXINE ON EXPERIMENTAL METASTATIC CALCIFICATION
Authors: Côté G. , Gabbiani G. , Tuchweber B. , Déziel C.
Published: December 2008

Experiments on rats indicate that thyrocalcitonin inhibits the metastatic calcification and bone lesions induced by bilateral nephrectomy. In nephrectomized animals, thyroxine does not modify the changes induced by endogenous (uraemic) or exogenous hyperparathyroidism. This is especially noteworthy because this hormone is highly effective against the lesions produced in intact animals by parathyroid extract overdosage. In the absence of the kidneys, thyrocalcitonin decreases calcaemia while thyroxine increases both calcaemia and phosphataemia.

Presumably, to be effective against soft-tissue calcification and bone resorption induced by parathyroid extract overdosage, thyroxine requires the presence of the kidney. On the other hand, it appears that the thyroparathyroid apparatus is necessary for the calcium-lowering activity of this hormone.
EFFECTS OF THE MELANOCYTE STIMULATING HORMONE AND OF AN INDUCED SERUM FACTOR ON EYE PERMEABILITY AND SERUM LEVEL OF FREE FATTY ACIDS IN THE RABBIT
Authors: Dyster-Aas H. K. , Krakau C. E. T.
Published: December 2008

A subcutaneous injection of melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) in the rabbit may give an aqueous flare response (permeability disturbance in the ciliary body) and serum from such a rabbit may induce a similar effect in another rabbit. Serum from this rabbit may in the next rabbit induce the same effect. The permeability effect obtained by serum injection is not accompanied by a free fatty acid (FFA) release, in contrast to the MSH effect. The FFA are not a prerequisite for a flare effect, though they may play a role in the production of the serum factor. The serum factor can hardly be a MSH compound.
PATTERNS OF URINARY FSH EXCRETION DURING OVULATORY AND ANOVULATORY MENSTRUAL CYCLES
Authors: Persson Bengt H. , McCormick William G.
Published: December 2008

The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and pregnanediol excretion were studied in 21 menstruating young females. Seventeen cycles showed evidence of ovulation and 4 cycles were anovulatory. The data were plotted using the menstrual period as the focus. The normal FSH excretion pattern showed two main peaks, one during menstruation and the other postovulatory. The fundamental difference in the two types of cycles was the absence of a FSH peak during menstruation in the anovulatory cycle. The clinical application and endocrine significance of these findings are discussed.
METABOLISM OF OESTRIOL-3-SULPHATE-16-GLUCOSIDURONATE IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Authors: Goebelsmann U. , Wiqvist N. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

A combination of 3H-labelled oestriol-3-sulphate-16-glucosiduronate (OE3-3S,16Gl) and 14C-labelled oestriol-16-glucosiduronate (OE3-16Gl) was infused over a 6 hour period to one woman at midpregnancy and to another woman with missed abortion in the 4th month of gestation. The urinary metabolites were isolated and identified. Sixty-four per cent of the 3H- and about 80 % of the 14C-labelled material was excreted in the urine within 24 hours. Some 20 % of the 3H-labelled, but only 2–3 % of the 14C-labelled material recovered was OE3-3S,16Gl. Approximately one half of the 3H-, but less than one-third of the 14C-labelled material was oestriol-3-glucosiduronate (OE3-3Gl). On the other hand, more than two-thirds of the 14C-labelled material, but less than one-third of the 3H-labelled was OE3-16Gl.

The urinary elimination of OE3-3S,16Gl was much slower than that of OE3-16Gl and resembled closely the behaviour of oestriol-3-sulphate (OE3-3S) in this respect.

The amounts of endogenous OE3-3S,16Gl and OE3-16Gl reaching the circulation each hour were calculated from their urinary excretion and from the relationship of infused and excreted labelled OE3-3S,16Gl and OE3-16Gl.

On the basis of these estimates it is concluded that OE3-3S,16Gl is a quantitatively important constituent of pregnancy plasma, but not of pregnancy urine.

It is suggested that OE3-3S,16Gl is formed mainly, if not entirely from OE3-16Gl, most probably in the liver and perhaps also in the gastrointestinal tract.

A general scheme is presented, describing the over-all metabolism of conjugated oestriol.
NUCLEAR SHAPE VARIATIONS IN THE FASCICULAR ZONE OF THE RAT ADRENAL GLAND
Authors: Åhrén Chr. , Hansson G. , Hedner P.
Published: December 2008

Variations in nuclear volume and shape from one to 24 hours after exogenous corticotrophin (ACTH) administration have been studied in the fascicular zone of the rat adrenal gland. It appeared that ACTH gave rise to a transient rounding of the normally ovoid nucleus. The change in nuclear eccentricity was maximal at 6 hours and returned to normal within 9 hours. This variation in shape was concomitant with the initial stage of a more prolonged increase in nuclear volume as well as with a more transient elevation of the free plasma and adrenal tissue corticosteroid levels. Nuclear shape variations presumably constitute a morphological indication of increased cellular activity. It is pointed out that karyometric determination of nuclear shape variations might serve as a supplementary parameter in studies of adrenocortical function.
NUCLEAR SHAPE VARIATIONS IN THE FASCICULAR ZONE OF THE RAT ADRENAL GLAND
Authors: Åhrén Chr. , Hansson G. , Hedner P. , Lundin P.
Published: December 2008

Nuclear shape and volume variations in the fascicular zone of the remaining adrenal gland 1 to 24 hours after unilateral adrenalectomy, have been studied in normal and hypophysectomized rats. It appeared that the nuclei temporarily assumed a more rounded shape, a change which was most pronounced 6 hours after unilateral adrenalectomy. At 12 hours the nuclei had regained their normal ovoid shape. The nuclear volume increased concomitantly but was still high at 12 hours. Hypophysectomy completely blocked the effect of unilateral adrenalectomy. The fascicular nuclei on the contrary were abnormally elongated in hypophysectomized animals. The results add further evidence to the hypothesis that shape variation in the fascicular nuclei of the adrenal cortex is an indication of cellular activity. This shape variation has also been shown to be associated with pituitary function.
DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOACTIVITY IN THE DIFFERENT LOBES OF THE RAT PROSTATE FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATION OF TESTOSTERONE-1,2-3H
Authors: Tveter Kjell J.
Published: December 2008

Testosterone-1,2-3H with a specific activity of 46.5 c/mm was given intramuscularly to 3–4 months old, randomly selected rats, castrated 3 days before the injection. Radioactivity was measured in specimens from the ventral, dorsal and lateral prostatic lobes, and from the coagulating gland. A selective uptake of radioactivity relative to muscle tissue, was found in all parts of the prostate, with the same general pattern of incorporation. When correlated to wet weight, the maximum radioactivity was found in the lateral lobe. Eight hours after the injection the radioactivity in the lateral prostate was about 24 times higher than in muscle. The corresponding ratios for the ventral and dorsal lobes were 20:1 and 11:1, respectively. It is suggested that most of the radioactivity is localized within the cells, with minimal amounts of radioactivity in the secretory fluid.
EFFECT OF LARGE DOSES OF RADIOIODINE ON THYROID FUNCTION
Authors: Djurdjević Dj. , Jovanović M. , Krainčanić M. , Sinadinović J.
Published: December 2008

The effect of a large dose of radioiodine on the soluble proteins in the thyroid glands of rats has been investigated. Up to the fourth day no effect of radiation from 131I was observed either on the total quantity of soluble proteins or on the relative amounts of fractions 19S and 3–8S in the gland. Later, a progressive decrease of fraction 19S occurred with a parallel increase in fraction 3–8S. At 13 days, the quantity of 19S thyroglobulin per 100 mg of tissue was 14 % of the value found on the first day. At the same time the total amount of extracted soluble proteins decreased to about 50 % of the initial value.

These changes can be explained: (a) by the transfer of thyroglobulin from the damaged follicles into the circulation; (b) by a decrease of thyroglobulin synthesis; and (c) by inhibition of the process of polymerization of protein fractions which are the precursors of thyroglobulin.
EFFECT OF LARGE DOSES OF RADIOIODINE ON THYROID FUNCTION
Authors: Jovanović M. , Djurdjević Dj. , Sinadinović J. , Krainčanić M.
Published: December 2008

The pathological iodoprotein which appears in the blood of rats after the administration of a large dose of radioiodine was investigated. For the separation and identification of this iodoprotein gel filtration, sucrose density gradient and analytical ultracentrifugation were used. It was established that this iodoprotein in the blood represents thyroglobulin 19S which is leaving the thyroid gland damaged by the large dose of irradiation. In rats treated with Na131I (a single dose of 150 μc/100 g body weight) thyroglobulin was found in the blood 24 hours after the administration of the radioisotope. The concentration increased up to the fifth day and then decreased, while on the 11th day the thyroglobulin could no longer be detected.

The dynamics of the appearance of the thyroglobulin, and its concentration in the blood serum could possibly serve as an indicator of the radiation effect of high doses of radioiodine, both in experimental conditions and in medical therapeutic.