bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CORTICOSTEROID-UMSATZ UND CORTICOSTEROID-PRODUKTION BEI RATTEN UNTER DER BEHANDLUNG MIT ANABOLEN STEROIDEN
Authors: Schriefers Herbert , Scharlau Gerlinde , Pohl Franzis
Published: December 2008

After the administration of anabolic steroids to adult female rats in daily doses of 1 mg per animal for 14 days, the following parameters were investigated: the rate of the Δ4-5α-hydrogenase-catalyzed cortisone reduction in liver slices and microsomal fractions, the adrenal weight and the in vitro corticosterone production rate.

Among the steroids tested, only 17α-methyl-testosterone and 17α-ethyl-19-nor-testosterone were effective in lowering significantly cortisone reduction rate by liver slices with concomitant decreases in microsomal Δ4-5α-hydrogenase-activity. Testosterone, 19-nor-testosterone, 17α-ethinyl-19-nor-testosterone, 17α-methyl-17β-hydroxy-androsta-1,4-dien-3-one and 1-methyl-17β-hydroxy-androst-1-en-3-one were ineffective or only slightly effective.

Adrenal weight and absolute corticosterone production rate (μg/60 min per animal) were decreased after treatment with 17α-methyl-testosterone, 17α-ethyl-19-nor-testosterone and 1-methyl-17β-hydroxy-androst-1-en-3-one. Corticosterone production was decreased with 17α-ethinyl-19-nor-testosterone in spite of an unchanged adrenal weight. The relative corticosterone production rate (μg/60 min · 100 mg adrenal) was in any cases unaffected.

According to these results there exists – with the exception of 17α-ethinyl-19-nor-testosterone – a strict parallelism between corticosteroid turnover and corticosterone production rate: unchanged turnover is correlated with unchanged corticosterone production rate, while a decreased turnover is correlated with decreased adrenal activity.

The protein-anabolic effect of certain anabolic steroids may be partly due to an anti-catabolic action of these compounds resulting from a decreased corticosteroid inactivation and production rate.

Possible mechanisms by which anabolic steroids may affect corticosteroid-balance are discussed.
ALDOSTERONE STIMULATION IN VITRO
Authors: Müller Jürg
Published: December 2008

A method is described for assaying aldosterone-stimulating activity in vitro using adrenal glands of rats kept on a sodium deficient diet. The production of aldosterone and corticosterone was measured by double isotope dilution derivative assays. Addition of ACTH or precursor steroids and elevation of the potassium concentration in the incubation medium gave a significant increase of aldosterone production. Angiotensin II showed little aldosterone-stimulating activity and only at a very high concentration. Small doses of a purified extract from human urine lead to a reproducible, significant and dose-dependent increase of aldosterone production without influencing production of corticosterone. The theoretical and practical advantages and limitations of the method are evaluated.
THE SO-CALLED 'LEVATOR ANI' OF THE RAT
Authors: Hayes Keith J.
Published: December 2008

Although the rat's 'levator ani' muscle has been widely used for screening and evaluating nonandrogenic anabolic steroids, there has been some confusion about the nature of the muscle itself. To clarify this situation, the anatomical literature was searched and numerous dissections were performed. It was found that the name 'levator ani' is incorrect and misleading. This muscle is not homologous to the one called levator ani in man, cat, and dog, but is actually the dorsal bulbocavernous, a muscle peculiar to rodents. It attaches to the bulb of the urethra; it is absent in the female rat; and, unlike the true levator ani, it is clearly part of the male reproductive system. To determine whether the masculinizing action of anabolic steroids is confined to this particular organ, its response to three such steroids was compared with the responses of several other genital organs. Although these steroids had little effect on the accessory sex glands, their strong action on the dorsal bulbocavernous was accompanied by similarly accelerated growth of all other muscular and erectile parts of the male genital system, including the penis. These results cannot be understood in terms of the traditional dichotomy of androgens and nonandrogens. A third category of quasi-androgens is needed, to accommodate synthetic steroids with some, but not all, of the masculinizing actions of testosterone.
EFFECTS OF OESTROGEN ON PITUITARY FUNCTION IN THE THYROIDECTOMIZED RAT
Authors: Amesbury O. F. , Contopoulos A. N. , Koneff A. A.
Published: December 2008

The effects of oestrogen administration on normal and thyroidectomized male rats were studied and compared with control groups. Determinations of trophic hormones in plasma and anterior pituitary glands were attained by bioassay procedures.

In the intact rat injected with oestrogen, the growth hormone content of the anterior pituitary gland was decreased, whereas in the thyroidectomized male rats the content was elevated to levels above normal. It was found that the growth promoting potency of plasma from thyroidectomized male animals could be restored to normal levels by the administration of oestrogen.

The administration of oestrogen to the thyroidectomized rat did not affect the TSH content of pituitary glands or plasma, whereas in the intact rat, resulted in a decrease in the TSH content of the pituitary gland.

Administration of oestrogen decreased the gonadotrophic content of the pituitary gland in the normal and thyroidectomized rat.

Pituitary glands from thyroidectomized rats injected with oestrogens showed reappearance of acidophils coupled with the typical development of post-thyroidectomy basophils.
3β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY IN THE HUMAN FOETAL TESTIS
Authors: Baillie A. H. , Niemi M. , Ikonen M.
Published: December 2008

Sections of testes from nine human foetuses ranging in crown-rump length from 3.0 to 18.3 cm were incubated to determine 3β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase activity histochemically with the following steroids:

3β-hydroxy-pregn-5-en-20-one (pregnenolong).

3β,17α-dihydroxy-pregn-5-en-20-one (17α-hydroxypregnenolone).

3β-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one (DHA).

3β,17β-dihydroxy-androst-5-ene (androstenediol).

3β-sulphoxy-pregn-5-en-20-one (pregnenolone sulphate).

3β-sulphoxy-1 7α-hydroxy-pregn-5-en-20-one (17α-hydroxy-pregnenolone sulphate)

3β-sulphoxy-androst-5-en-17-one (DHAsulphate).

3β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one (epiandrosterone).

Pregnenolone and DHA gave a colour reaction in the interstitium of all testes studied. 17α-hydroxypregnenolone was utilised by testes from foetuses of C-R length 8.8 cm and over, androstenediol by testes from foetuses of C-R length 6.1 cm and over. These facts are thought to support the concept of separate substrate-specific 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in the testis.

Pregnenolone sulphate was used by the interstitial cells of all testes studied but gave a stronger reaction than the free steroid. 17α-hydroxy-pregnenolone sulphate was used by all foetal testes surveyed. DHA sulphate was not well used by the interstitial cells. The utilisation of steroid sulphates in a different manner from the free steroids in this histochemical system may mean that the presence of a sulphate group affects enzyme-substrate binding or that a steroid sulphatase is involved.

Intense formazan deposition followed incubation with epiandrosterone in all testes studied. This seems to imply that a δ5 configuration is not necessary for enzyme-substrate binding.
DISSOCIATION OF THE CALORIGENIC ACTION OF THYROID HORMONES FROM THE DEIODINATION OF L-THYROXINE IN VIVO
Authors: Anbar M. , Inbar M. , Tata J. R.
Published: December 2008

The rate of deiodination of L-thyroxine was measured in vivo in normal and thyroidectomized rats by a technique of double isotope (125I and 131I) labelling. Small doses of Actinomycin D administered at the same time as 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine or L-thyroxine almost completely abolished the stimulatory effect of the hormones on basal metabolic rate (B. M. R.) but slightly elevated the rate of deiodination of L-thyroxine. When studied sequentially, the stimulation of B. M. R. preceded the increase in rate of deiodination of the hormone following a single injection of triiodothyronine to thyroidectomized rats. These results suggest that the rate of deiodination is not directly associated with the action of thyroid hormones.
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF HYPOTHALAMIC LESIONS ON PITUITARY-THYROID ACTIVITY IN THE RAT
Authors: de Jong W. , Moll J.
Published: December 2008

In order to determine more precisely the areas and possible neural pathways involved in pituitary-thyroid activity, lesions were made in a variety of locations within the hypothalamus by means of stereotaxy and high frequency coagulation. Lesions were either single midline lesions or double bilaterally placed lesions. Single midline lesions which destroyed the area between the fornix bundles at the level of the paraventricular nuclei (PVN), resulted in a reduction in the rate of thyroidal radioiodine release in rats maintained at room temperature and such lesions also blocked the thyroidal response to cold (4° C). A comparison was made between the effects of these lesions and of similar lesions located immediately anterior, posterior, superior, inferior and lateral to the PVN site. Single midline lesions just inferior to the PVN caused inhibition of the thyroid response to cold but at room temperature they appeared to be less effective than midline lesions at the level of the PVN. When lesions were made anterior to the PVN, the cold response was partially blocked, but there was no effect on thyroid activity at room temperature. In contrast, complete absence of any effects on thyroid activity was observed, following coagulation of midline structures either superior or posterior to the PVN site. Bilaterally placed lesions, located laterally to the PVN were also ineffective provided the region immediately adjacent to the midline was left intact.

When animals with lesions of the PVN site were placed on a diet containing 0.3 % methylthiouracil (MTU), goitre development was retarded at 2 and at 4 weeks, but thyroid weight equalled that of the control animals after 40 days of MTU treatment. After still longer periods on MTU, goitres seemed to regress again to some extent in the lesioned rats. Thyroxine administration to rats bearing identical lesions resulted in inhibition of the radioiodine release rate. However, injection of 2 μg of thyroxine daily was insufficient to cause inhibition of iodine release in the lesioned rats, although such a dose was effective in the control animals.
THE EXTRATHYROIDAL DISTRIBUTION OF 131I THYROXINE
Authors: Blomstedt B. , Plantin L. O.
Published: December 2008

The elimination of radioactivity from the blood stream has been examined in 6 subjects after intravenous administration of 131I-thyroxine. About 50 per cent of the radioactivity left the blood within 60–90 minutes and 75 per cent within 6 hours. In both in vivo and in vitro experiments there was a rapid linking of the labelled thyroxine to the serum proteins.

The elimination of radioactivity from the blood and the excretion in urine and faeces was followed in 12 subjects for 12 days. To calculate the distribution and exchange of the labelled thyroxine between the various extrathyroidal pools, a model comprising 4 pools was constructed. The working of the model was analysed by means of an analogue computer. There was a close agreement between the curves thus obtained and those yielded by empirical methods. According to the 4-pool model 6 – 7 times the intravascular thyroxine pool was exchanged with the extravascular pool in 24 hours.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ADRENALECTOMY AND GONADECTOMY ON THYROID FUNCTION IN THE RAT
Authors: Grunt Jerome A. , Cunningham Russell D.
Published: December 2008

Thyroid function has been evaluated in male and female rats which had been either sham operated, gonadectomized, adrenalectomized, or adrenalectomized and gonadectomized on day 25, and killed at 180 days of age. No hormonal replacement therapy was utilized. Animals without adrenals showed increased thyroid weights, increased cell heights of follicular epithelium and decreased resin binding of 131I labeled triiodothyronine without significant changes in BEI. Possible mechanisms for these changes in thyroid function are discussed.
THE PRESENCE OF A »GONADOTROPHIN INHIBITING SUBSTANCE« IN PINEAL GLAND EXTRACTS
Authors: Soffer Louis J. , Fogel Marvin , Rudavsky Amiel Z.
Published: December 2008

A bovine pineal gland extract was found to inhibit the stimulatory effect of both human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) on mouse uterine weight, while melatonin displayed no such inhibitory activity. The pineal gland extract did not inhibit the stimulatory effect of oestrone.
ICSH-BESTIMMUNGEN IN HYPOPHYSEN VON REHBÖCKEN (CAPREOLUS CAPREOLUS) UND HIRSCHEN (CERVUS ELAPHUS) UNTER BERÜCKSICHTIGUNG DES SAISONEINFLUSSES
Authors: Brüggemann J. , Adam A. , Karg H.
Published: December 2008

The ICSH-content was determined in the pituitary glands of 24 adult male roe-deers as well as in 22 adult and 15 juvenile male red-deers. In the adult animals the highest ICSH concentration appeared within 10 weeks before the rutting-season. During the rutting-season a marked decrease in the ICSH concentration was observed, associated with a maximum development of the Leydig interstitial cells, of the testes and of the vesicular glands. These findings are discussed in relation to the endocrine feedback mechanism.

The ICSH determinations were carried out by the ascorbic-acid-depletion test. Preliminary investigations revealed that the addition of large amounts of FSH may act synergistically with LH.
EFFECTS OF ADMINISTRATION OF METOPIRON AND OF DELIVERY ON HUMAN PLASMA CORTICOTROPHIN
Authors: Holmdahl Tore H:son
Published: December 2008

The ACTH activity of human peripheral blood was assayed during two types of stimuli: 1) administration of SU-4885 (Metopiron® CIBA), 2) normal delivery. Metopiron produced an increase of plasma ACTH activity in 3 normal subjects but failed to do so in 1 case of pituitary tumour. Of the 7 cases of normal delivery studied, 4 showed a significant increase in plasma ACTH activity at the time of delivery.
INHIBITION OF FERTILITY IN MICE BY STEROID IMPLANTS
Authors: Pi A. Folch , Oriol A. , Lasso L. Herrera , Maqueo M. , Dorfman Ralph I. , Kincl Fred A.
Published: December 2008

Inhibition of fertility in female mice by steroid implants has been studied. 19-Norprogesterone, 10% and 20 % pellets, and testosterone, 15% and 45 % pellets, were effective fertility inhibitors in female mice. Two important antifertility steroids, chlormadinone and 17α-acetoxypregn-4,6-diene-3,20-dione were only moderately effective. The present data on a relatively limited number of compounds indicate that the anti-fertility activity of progestational agents in normal female mice is a parameter independent of the basic progestational activity, anti-ovulatory activity and anti-oestrogenic activity.
GENERAL EFFECTS OF α-MELANOCYTE STIMULATING HORMONE IN THE RABBIT
Authors: Dyster-Aas H. K. , Krakau C. E. T.
Published: December 2008

In addition to the previously described permeability disturbance in the blood aqueous barrier of the eye, measured as an increase of the aqueous flare, a series of transitory systemic effects have been recorded following the subcutaneous injection of synthetic α-MSH:

marked increase of the free fatty acids in plasma,

decrease in the serum calcium level,

decrease in the blood pressure,

increase in the skin temperature,

increased frequency and diminished amplitude of respiration,

presence of slow waves in the EEG.

There is a correlation between the magnitude of the aqueous flare increase and the increase of free fatty acids in plasma and also between the aqueous flare and the minimum serum calcium level.
THE EFFECT OF STEROIDS ON MOUSE SEX ACCESSORY FRUCTOSE LEVELS
Authors: Thomas John A. , Strauss Albert J.
Published: December 2008

The administration of testosterone to the intact mouse produced alterations in the levels of fructose in seminal vesicles and prostate glands. A ten day injection period was more effective in causing increases in fructose levels in sex accessory organs than was a five day injection period. The added stimulation of fructose observed in the intact mouse treated for the more extended period of injection was not due simply to the increased amount of testosterone. A comparison of fructose levels in testosterone treated castrate mice with those of the intact series of mice suggests the presence of endogenous substances other than testosterone capable of stimulating the secretion of this sugar in sex accessory organs. Castration led to a more rapid fructose reduction in seminal vesicles than in anterior lobes of the prostate gland. Testosterone, testosterone propionate and methyl testosterone were capable of restoring fructose levels to essentially normal values in the castrate mouse. Norethandrolone, norethindrone and ethisterone caused progressive increases in organ fructose, but were less effective than either testosterone or testosterone propionate. Progesterone or norethynodrel had little effect upon fructose metabolism. Structural modifications of the testosterone molecule result in diminished fructose forming properties in sex accessory organs of the castrate mouse.
THE EXTRACTION OF PROLACTIN FROM HUMAN PITUITARY GLANDS
Authors: Apostolakis M.
Published: December 2008

A method for the extraction of prolactin from human pituitary glands is described. It is based on acetone drying, distilled water extraction, acetone and isoelectric precipitation.

Two main products are obtained: Fraction R8 with a mean prolactin activity of 12.2 IU/mg and fraction U8 with a mean prolactin activity of 8.6 IU/mg. The former fraction does not contain any significant gonadotrophin activity and the latter contains on an average 50 HMG U/mg. In both cases contamination with ACTH and MSH is minimal.

The growth hormone activity of both these fractions is low. It is postulated that in man too, prolactin and growth hormone are two distinct hormones.

A total of 1250 human pituitary glands have been processed by this method. The mean prolactin content per pituitary gland has been found to be 73 IU.
METABOLISM OF OESTRONE AND OESTRADIOL IN THE HUMAN FOETO-PLACENTAL UNIT AT MIDPREGNANCY
Authors: Schwers J. , Eriksson G. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

In four cases of therapeutic abortion by laparotomy, tracer amounts of oestrone-6,7-3H and 17β-oestradiol-16-14C were injected into the umbilical vein 20 minutes prior to the interruption of gestation, and the radioactive material recovered from the placenta and various foetal tissues was analysed.

More than 92 per cent of the radioactive material recovered from the foetus, but less than 15 per cent of that present in the placenta, was in a conjugated form. Among the foetal tissues studied, the highest percentage of unconjugated (free) radioactive material (25 per cent) occurred in the adrenals.

Determination of the isotopic ratios revealed that complete interconversion of injected material was approached only by the oestrone and 17β-oestradiol isolated from the conjugated fraction of the liver. Approximately 10 per cent of the radioactive material recovered from the foetal liver and smaller amounts of that found in the placenta and residual foetal tissues were isolated and identified as oestriol. The isotopic ratio of oestriol isolated from different sources approached very closely that of conjugated oestrone and 17β-oestradiol in the foetal liver, but was distinctly different from the isotopic ratio of free and conjugated oestrone and 17β-oestradiol in all other tissues.

At least 9 additional metabolites were detected in the conjugated fraction of the foetal liver. One of them was identified as 15α-hydroxy-17β-oestradiol, another one as 16- (or possibly 17-) epioestriol, and two were ring D ketolic oestrogens, most probably 16α-hydroxyoestrone and 16-oxo-17β-oestradiol. The isotopie ratios of all identified compounds were similar to those of oestrone and 17β-oestradiol isolated from the same fraction.

It is concluded that in the foeto-placental unit at midpregnancy, the liver is the main site of oestrone and 17β-oestradiol metabolism and that this metabolism takes place predominantly in a conjugated form, most probably in form of 3-sulphates.
THE EFFECT OF A SINGLE LARGE DOSE OF 9α-FLUOROPREDNISOLONE ON NUCLEODEPOLYMERASE ACTIVITY AND NUCLEIC ACID CONTENT OF THE RAT THYMUS
Authors: Wiernik Peter H. , MacLeod Robert M.
Published: December 2008

The injection of male rats with 25 mg 9α-fluoroprednisolone/kg body weight caused a 29 % decrease in thymus RNA concentration 20 hours after injection. At this time, acid RNase activity had increased to more than twice control values. Alkaline RNase activity in whole thymus homogenates were increased 4 hours post injection. The removal of an alkaline RNase inhibitor from thymus homogenates greatly altered the response to steroid. Control values of alkaline RNase activity were 6 fold greater in homogenates from which the inhibitor had been removed. No effect of steroid on alkaline RNase activity was detected in homogenates from which the inhibitor was removed.

DNase II activity was significantly elevated 2 hours post injection and reached a peak 2 hours later. No decrease in DNA concentration of thymus homogenates could be demonstrated.
ACTION DES DÉRIVÉS ACÉTYLÉS DE L'HORMONE THYRÉOTROPE SUR LA STIMULATION DE LA CELLULE THYROIDIENNE PAR L'HORMONE THYRÉOTROPE
Authors: Rodesch F.
Published: December 2008

Whereas acetylated thyrotrophin preparations antagonize thyrotrophin in vivo (Sonenberg & Money 1957, 1960), we have demonstrated that this inhibitory activity of acetylated thyrotrophin preparations against thyrotrophin does not exist in vitro.

The material studied was the thyroid glands of dogs.
STEROID TRANSFORMATIONS IN VITRO BY TESTICULAR TISSUE FROM TWO CASES OF TESTICULAR FEMINISATION
Authors: Neher R. , Kahnt F. W. , Roversi G. D. , Bompiani A.
Published: December 2008

Cryptorchid testicular and testicular adenoma tissue obtained from two patients with the testicular feminisation syndrome was incubated with 3Hor 14C-labelled pregnenolone, 17-hydroxy-pregnenolone, progesterone and androstenedione. In the tissue of both patients a similar steroid transformation pattern was observed.

There was abundant biosynthesis of testosterone from androstenedione but rather little from the other precursors. Oestrone and oestradiol were formed only from androstenedione. There is ample evidence of both 17-hydroxylation and side-chain splitting, in particular with the δ5-precursors. From the ratio of the δ5- and δ4-steroids identified, it is concluded that there was, however, little dehydrogenation of the 3β-hydroxyl group.

Though there seems to be no qualitative difference as compared with what is known about the possible pathways in testicular tissue from various species, our findings contrast to some extent with those reported previously by other investigators in a few cases of testicular feminisation. The possible role of anti-androgens is discussed.
INHIBITION OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT IN MALE AND FEMALE RATS TREATED WITH VARIOUS STEROIDS AT THE AGE OF FIVE DAYS
Authors: Kind Fred A. , Pi A. Folch , Maqueo M. , Lasso L. Herrera , Oriol A. , Dorfman Ralph I.
Published: December 2008

The effect of various steroids injected into 5 day old male and female rats was evaluated at the age of 45 days. In the males the degree in which testes and accessory sex tissues were atrophied, and in the females the degree of inhibition of luteinization were the indices.

Various synthetic oestrogens were potent inhibitors of sexual development in both sexes while androgens were less active. The activity of several oestrogens in this test does not correlate with oestrogenic potency as measured in the uterotrophic test. Testosterone propionate produced moderate atrophy of testes and accessory sex tissue but spermatogenesis was not impaired.
COMPARATIVE ICSH-ESTIMATIONS IN THE SERUM OF GONADECTOMIZED MALE AND FEMALE RATS WITH A TRANSPLANTED OVARY
Authors: Swelheim T.
Published: December 2008

In adult female rats an ICSH-peak in the serum was found in the afternoon of pro-oestrus (preliminary experiments). ICSH was determined by the ventral prostate assay. Comparative ICSH-determinations were carried out in the serum of adult gonadectomized male and female rats with an ovarian transplant. Gonadectomy and transplantation of an ovary into the right hind-leg had been carried out two months previously. Irrespective as to whether there were corpora lutea in the transplants of castrated males, the ICSH-level in the serum of the males did not differ from the base level in the serum of the females. The ICSH-peak in the serum of the females (afternoon of pro-oestrus) exceeded this level.

The relation between the ICSH-peak in the serum and ovulation was demonstrated by the fact that there was no ICSH-peak on the day of prooestrus in spayed females with an ovarian transplant, which in previous cycles had passed through a two days' oestrus.

It is suggested that the difference in behaviour between ovarian transplants in spayed females and castrated males might be an expression of the same sex difference as that which appears in response to a single high dose of oestrogen.
DOSAGE DE L'HORMONE LUTEINISANTE DANS LE PLASMA HUMAIN. RESULTATS CHEZ LES SUJETS NORMAUX DES DEUX SEXES
Authors: Louchart Jean , Truffert Jacqueline , Decourt Jacques
Published: December 2008

An assay method for luteinizing hormone in human plasma is described. The results in healthy men and women are reported: in ten men, a significant level is constantly found, varying from 5 to 14 μg/2.5 ml of plasma. In three women with normal menses, a very low level is found during the preovulatory period, rising significantly at mid-cycle to return afterwards to lower levels, these remaining higher than preovulatory ones.
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF NIDATION. XVI.
Authors: Kraicer P. F. , Shelesnyak M. C.
Published: December 2008

One mg of ergocornine methanesulphate was injected into pseudopregnant rats; the time at which the vaginal smear became pro-oestrous was noted. Pro-oestrus appeared two days after the injection of ergocornine, independent of whether the drug was administered on days L1, L2, L3, L4 or L5 (L1 = first day of leucocytic vaginal smear). Injection of 5 mg/d progesterone delayed, but did not usually prevent, the onset of pro-oestrus. Pro-oestrus appeared 3 days after the last injection of progesterone. These results show that ergocornine induces the appearance of oestrus by effecting progesterone withdrawal rather than by direct activation of folliculotrophins.
COMPARISON OF THE ACTION OF GROWTH HORMONE, HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN AND AN ANABOLIC STEROID IN HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: Reiss M. , Sideman M. B. , Plichta E. S.
Published: December 2008

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and an anabolic steroid did not raise the weight of hypophysectomized rats: those substances, however, prevented the weight decrease seen in the first 3 weeks after operation of 200 g rats which were maintained both pre- and post-operatively on the same routine diet. HCG did not have this effect on hypophysectomized animals which had been also castrated.

It is assumed that the growth promoting action seen after HCG or anabolic steroid is due in normal animals and patients to an endogenous stimulation of growth hormone production by the pituitary anterior lobe.
URINARY EXCRETION OF INDIVIDUAL 17-KETOSTEROIDS IN CHILDREN
Authors: Vestergaard Per
Published: December 2008

Data are presented for chromatographically separated urinary 17-ketosteroids from 35 normal, healthy children. All 17-ketosteroids present in adult urine were found in the childrens urine. In a few cases unidentified peaks were encountered.

The children showed a much higher variability than the adults, both in absolute excretion values and in steroid patterns.
DIE TESTOSTERONAUSSCHEIDUNG IM HARN BEI MÄNNLICHEN INDIVIDUEN
Authors: Morer-Fargas F. , Nowakowski H.
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion of testosterone in 59 male individuals divided in »ten years« age groups (overall range 12–82 years) was determined according to the method of Voigt et al. (1964). This method does not necessitate the use of isotopes.

Testosterone excretion increases after puberty and reaches between 25 and 35 years a mean maximum level of 70 μg/24 hours. In puberty and in adolescence mean testosterone excretion is 35 μg/24 hours, i. e. only one half of the amount present in the third decade of life. During the sixth and seventh decade testosterone excretion returns to the values of puberty and adolescence, i. e. to a mean value of 35 μg.

It is thus evident that increasing age is accompanied by a significant reduction in testosterone excretion which reflects the physiological involution of the endocrine function of the testes.
INTRAOPERATIVE GEWINNUNG MENSCHLICHER HALSLYMPHE UND PAPIERCHROMATOGRAPHISCHE BESTIMMUNG IHRES JODAMINOSÄUREGEHALTES
Authors: Eickhoff W. , Herberhold C.
Published: December 2008

We succeeded for the first time in developing a new method to get fresh lymph fluid of the lymphatic system of the neck from living men during strumectomies. Using this method there were neither a great necessarity in apparates nor a high delay in operation.

It was possible to demonstrate by paper chromatography that there are monoiodotyrosine (MIT), tri- and tetraiodothyronine (T3 and T4), and inorganic iodine in the thyroid lymph respectively neck lymph of living men.

According to former results of the postmortem examination of thyroid lymph we believe that the lymphatic vessels of the thyroid and the neck are pathways for the transport of thyroid hormones.
DIE RENALE CLEARANCE DES ALDOSTERONS UND SEINER HAUPTMETABOLITE BEIM MENSCHEN
Authors: Gfeller J. , Siegenthaler W.
Published: December 2008

Metabolism and excretion of aldosterone in six normal persons were investigated with the renal clearance method.

At normal levels of urine flow (0.5–1.2 ml/min), the reabsorption of free aldosterone in the kidney is 90–95 %, ranging thus in the same order of magnitude as the reabsorption of cortisol.

The average clearance of the 3-oxo-conjugate exceeds renal plasma flow by 70 %. Therefore it can be assumed that free aldosterone is converted to the 3-oxo-conjugate by the kidney.

The renal clearance of the tetrahydroaldosterone glucuronide was on the average 138 % of the thiosulfate clearance or glomerular filtration rate. The concept of renal clearance properly used cannot be applied to the excretion of the metabolites of aldosterone which apparently are produced to some extent by the kidneys themselves.
STOFFWECHSEL VON 6-OXO-ÖSTRON BEIM MENSCHEN
Authors: Breuer J. A. , Breuer H.
Published: December 2008

To each of three male subjects, 10 mg of 6-oxo-oestrone was administered intramuscularly. By various microchemical reactions the following phenolic steroids were identified in urine: 6α-hydroxyoestrone, 6β-hydroxyoestrone, 6α-hydroxy-17β-oestradiol, 6β-hydroxy-17β-oestradiol, 6-oxo-17β-oestradiol and 6-oxo-oestrone. The steroids excreted in highest amounts were 6α- and 6β-hydroxyoestrone, followed by 6α-hydroxy-17βoestradiol, 6-oxo-oestrone and 6-oxo-17β-oestradiol. Between 25 and 40 % of the injected dose of 6-oxo-oestrone were recovered in urine as 6-hydroxy- and 6-oxo compounds.

From the results obtained, it can be concluded that in man a 6α- as well as a 6β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is present.
ENZYMATIC MODIFICATION OF BOVINE GROWTH HORMONE BY PROTEOLYTIC STREPTOMYCETE CELL EXTRACTS
Authors: Reusser Fritz
Published: December 2008

Bovine growth hormone was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis by several crude proteolytically active streptomycete cell extracts. These digestion mixtures were fractionated on Sephadex gel columns. With each enzyme substantial amounts of hormonal aggregational products were formed during enzymatic hydrolysis with an apparent molecular weight exceeding the one for the native hormone. Fractions obtained retained various degrees of somatotrophic, lipolytic, and immunologic activities. In the course of these investigations it became apparent that the prepared bovine growth hormone fragments had a high inorganic ion binding capacity, in particular for Na+, Mg++, and SiO3−−.
PROTECTION BY VARIOUS ANABOLIC STEROIDS AGAINST DIHYDROTACHYSTEROL INDUCED CALCINOSIS AND CATABOLISM
Authors: Selye Hans , Tuchweber Beatriz , Jacqmin Marc
Published: December 2008

Thirty-six steroids have been examined for their ability to protect the rat against the catabolism, soft-tissue calcification and skeletal lesions normally produced by chronic dihydrotachysterol (DHT) intoxication. Among these compounds, norbolethone, SC-7294, and fluoxymesterone proved to be most efficacious in all these respects. Their anticatabolic action was almost equalled by several other anabolic steroids, but with regard to the prevention of soft-tissue calcification and skeletal lesions they were by far the most potent of the steroids tested.

The anabolic effect of the compounds examined was comparatively independent, not only of their androgenic potency, but also of their renotrophic action and their ability to prevent the DHT-induced soft-tissue calcification and skeletal lesions.
ISOLIERUNG VON OESTRON UND 17α-OESTRADIOL AUS GALLENFLÜSSIGKEIT DES NEUGEBORENEN KALBES DURCH MIKROSUBLIMATION
Authors: Rommel Peter , Zschintzsch Annelies
Published: December 2008

The present publication is a continuation of two previous papers on the isolation of oestrone (melting-point = 257.0° C) and 17α-oestradiol (melting-point = 218.5° C) from the bile of young calves by microsublimation. A description of the method used in this work is given.
PROGNOSIS OF THE OUTCOME OF PREGNANCIES IN DIABETICS
Authors: Pedersen Jørgen , Pedersen Lars Mølsted
Published: December 2008

In order to improve the possibilities of predicting the outcome of pregnancy in diabetics, we analysed a consecutive series of 304 pregnancies in 263 diabetic women in the Royal Maternity Department B, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, during the 5-year period 1959-1963. The period of supervision and treatment during pregnancy varied greatly. The perinatal mortality in the 306 infants was 17.9%.

According to the results of this analysis, patients with a poor prognosis were divided into the following four groups: Pregnant women who developed (1) hyperpyretic pyelitis, (2) pre-coma or severe acidosis, (3) toxaemia, or patients who could be so described, (4) »neglectors« These four groups, and the classification, are designated PBSP (Prognostically Bad Signs during Pregnancy).

The mothers of 130 infants belonged to one or more of the four groups of PBSP, and among the infants of these mothers the perinatal mortality was 31.5% as compared with 7.9% in the group of 176 infants without PBSP during pregnancy.

The poor prognosis for the pregnancies with PBSP applies to all foetal weight groups. In addition, these pregnancies terminate in premature delivery twice as often as the others. It is demonstrated that from the prognostic point of view, nothing is gained by including hydramnios in PBSP.

The risk involved by a PBSP complication to the foetus depends on the White (1949) class in which it occurs. A combination of White's classification of pregnant diabetics with regard to foetal prognosis used together with the present classification improves the possibility of predicting the foetal prognosis in a series of pregnant diabetics which is mixed as regards the length of treatment during pregnancy.
ADMINISTRATION OF CORTISONE TO THE PREGNANT RAT. EFFECTS ON THE LYMPHOID TISSUE OF THE OFFSPRING
Authors: Angervall Lennart , Lundin Per M.
Published: December 2008

The lymphoid tissue of newborn rats from mothers treated during pregnancy by adrenalectomy or various doses of cortisone was studied morphologically. The size of the adrenal glands of the newborn was used as a morphological indicator of the amount of cortisone circulating in the foetal blood. Only the highest dose used – 4.5 mg cortisone daily to the pregnant rat from the 13th day of pregnancy to parturition significantly reduced the size of the thymus in newborn animals. Adrenalectomy induced a slight but significant hyperplasia of the thymus of the newborn. Histologically the thymus cortex appeared to be thinner after the highest dose of cortisone and thicker after adrenalectomy. This high dose of cortisone increased the size of the spleen of the newborn but no definite histological changes were observed in any of the experimental groups as compared with the spleen of the controls. It is concluded that the rat foetal lymphoid tissue is less sensitive to cortisone than that of the adult rat.
EFFECT OF CASTRATION AND OF TESTOSTERONE ON ARYLESTERASE ACTIVITY AND PROTEIN CONTENT OF BLOOD PLASMA IN MALE DOGS
Authors: Augustinsson Klas-Bertil , Henricson Bengt
Published: December 2008

The arylesterase activity of blood plasma from newborn dogs was about 5 per cent that of normal adult activity values. After birth, the activity increased to reach adult values at the age of about four months.

Castration of three mature male dogs resulted in an increase in plasma arylesterase activity. The arylesterase fraction, seen in electropherograms of normal plasma in the pre-albumin region, was absent after castration. On electrophoresis a new protein fraction appeared after castration in the starch gel electropherograms of dog plasma. In addition, a second fraction was faintly visible in normal plasma and increased in amount after castration. Both fractions disappeared when the castrated dogs were treated with testosterone.
ON THE BIOASSAY OF THYROTROPHIN IN PLASMA
Authors: Rerup Claus , Melander Arne
Published: December 2008

The 131I mouse blood level increase method of thyrotrophin (TSH) bioassay (McKenzie 1958) was investigated with regard to its practical efficiency and statistical validity. This method did not fulfil the requirements of a valid bioassay because of variance heterogeneity and curvilinearity of the logdose response line.

Studies on 131I elimination and thyroxine action time in mice yielded a biological half life of 131I of about 5 days, while the estimated period of action time of 20 μg of 1-thyroxine was 3 days.

The advantages of the method adopted here are briefly summarized as follows:

No pretreatment with low-iodine diet, no feeding of thyroid powder.

The response metameter of choice, preferable to three others, is the log cpm-ratio which gave linearity, homoscedasticity, precision, and ease of calculation.

The animals can be used from day 2 to day 6 inclusive.

Small samples of blood (50 μl) and constriction pipettes are preferable to larger samples and the use of syringes: higher precision, the same accuracy and repeated use of the same animals.

Cross-over design improved the index of precision from 0.23 to 0.15.

Evidence on specificity: no response to plasma from hypophysectomized rats and to some other substances, high values after PTU (propyl-thiouracil) and in some clinical conditions.

The method is not sufficiently sensitive (mean threshold dose was 0.017 mU of TSH) to detect TSH levels in normal human or mouse plasma, which thus appear to be lower than 0.05 mU per ml. In normal rats, the mean plasma TSH level was 0.4 mU per ml. Elevated plasma TSH was observed in patients with myxoedema and malignant exophthalmos (highest value recorded was 0.9 mU per ml), and in rats and mice after prolonged treatment with PTU. The plasma levels in mice after PTU treatment for 5 weeks were as high as 4.9 mU per ml.
SPONTANEOUS HYPOGLYCAEMIA AND SARCOMA
Authors: Friend J. A. R. , Hales C. N.
Published: December 2008

A patient with a slow-growing fibrosarcoma of ovarian origin developed attacks of hypoglycaemia. Estimations of plasma insulin-like activity and immunoassay of plasma insulin under a variety of conditions showed no evidence of abnormal insulin secretion. In addition, the responses to glucagon, tolbutamide, and L-leucine showed no definite abnormality. Possible mechanisms for the occurrence of the hypoglycaemia are discussed.
COMPARISON OF BIOASSAY AND IMMUNOASSAY OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN IN URINE
Authors: Borth Rudi , Ferin Michel , Menzi Annette
Published: December 2008

In 39 samples of pregnancy urine, the concentration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was estimated biologically by the ovarian hyperaemia reaction in rats, and serologically by the passive haemagglutinationinhibition technique. The results of the bioassays varied from 3 to 150 IU/ml, those of the immunoassays from 5 to 640 IU-eq./ml, and the correlation between the two (calculated for their logarithms) accounted for only 17 per cent of the total variation (r2 = 0.169, P ≈0.01). If the biological activity were estimated from a serological result and the appropriate regression line, the fiducial interval for P = 0.05 would extend from 17 to 610 per cent of the estimate.

In a factorial experiment using three anti-HCG sera, three standard and three sensitizing preparations of HCG, the sensitivity of the serological system (expressed as the endpoint concentration in IU of HCG) varied considerably between the 27 combinations of the 3 factors, but there was no interaction between the latter.

From these data and those of other authors, it is concluded that immunoassays based on haemagglutination inhibition cannot replace bioassays in the estimation of HCG, as distinct from its hypothetical metabolites or other related antigens, unless specificity has been demonstrated. The well-documented reliability of serological pregnancy tests is, of course, not in dispute.

Attention is drawn to the fact that »statistically significant« correlation does not guarantee analytically acceptable agreement between two methods of assay.
EFFECT OF ANDROGENIC AND ANABOLIC COMPOUNDS ON PSEUDOCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY IN THE LIVER AND SERUM OF THE RAT
Authors: Leeuwin R. S.
Published: December 2008

Immature male and female rats have a similar basal level of pseudocholinesterase activity in the liver and serum. In male rats pseudocholinesterase activity declines sharply with the onset of sexual maturity, between the fourth and the fifth week, after which it remains more or less constant.

In female rats, also coinciding with the onset of sexual development, the activity starts to rise between five and six weeks and then increases gradually up to twenty weeks.

Castration of male rats results in an increase of the enzyme activity to the basal level, whereas subsequent injection of testosterone-propionate brings about a fall to the level found in adult male rats.

Three androgenic/anabolic steroids were compared for their effects on pseudocholinesterase activities in liver and serum of male castrates, viz. testosterone-propionate, testosterone-phenyl-propionate and nor-testosterone-phenyl-propionate, the latter known to possess a relatively high anabolic potency. This was confirmed in our experiments by direct protein determinations in liver and serum and by levator ani muscle/seminal vesicle ratios. At a dose of 1 mg daily for ten days, the former two substances had a similar considerable effect on pseudocholinesterase activity, whereas the effect of the nor-derivative was much smaller.

A response similar to that of one milligram of testosterone-propionate was only obtained with 4 mg of the nor-derivative. At that dose level the androgenic effect of the nor-derivative on the seminal vesicles is somewhat less than that of 1 mg testosterone-propionate daily.

It is concluded that the cholinesterase activity lowering effect of the compounds investigated is correlated with their androgenic rather than with their anabolic potencies.
DIE PROGESTERON-BIOSYNTHESE IN GEWEBSSCHNITTEN VON RINDEROVARIEN IM VERLAUF DES ZYKLUS
Authors: Lisse K. , Schürenkämper P.
Published: December 2008

The in vitro-synthesis of progesterone from pregn-5-en-3β-ol-20-one by bovine ovarian slices was studied in the right and in the left ovaries and in the several phases of the bovine oestrous cycle. The level of the progesterone synthesis in vitro was found to increase with increasing maturity of the Graafian follicle. In our studies there appears to be a correlation between the level of the progesterone synthesis in vitro of the right and the level of the left ovary.

The results, obtained with the thin-layer-chromatography, indicate that this method appears suitable for the estimation of progesterone and pregnenolone.
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF NIDATION. XVII. HISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF DECIDUALIZATION IN THE RAT
Authors: Lobel Bertha L. , Tic Liliane , Shelesnyak M. C.
Published: December 2008

Histochemical observations on the activities of adenosinetriphosphatase, alkaline and phosphatases and on RNA, glycogen and lipids were made on uteri of pseudopregnant rats following induction of decidualization by both physiological and traumatic means. Following both types of stimulation, the decidual cell reaction commenced in foci characterized by high levels of adenosinetriphosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Accumulations of RNA also occurred early in foci of decidualization. The pronounced enzymic changes taking place in the uterus shortly after the application of the inducing stimulus, are proposed as early criteria for successful induction of decidualization, particularly in the case of »physiological induction«.
UPTAKE OF RADIOACTIVE OESTRADIOL IN SOME ORGANS OF IMMATURE MICE.
Authors: Terenius Lars
Published: December 2008

The uptake of radioactivity in some organs after the injection of oestradiol-3H to immature mice has been studied. The uterus and vagina contained more radioactivity per unit wet weight than skeletal muscle, for at least 15 hours. The uptake in the uterus and vagina could be inhibited by carrier oestradiol at a dose level of about 0.3 μg. Oestradiol accumulated by the uterus and vagina could not be easily displaced by a second injection of oestradiol. Oestrogen-stimulated uteri and vaginae retained their capacity to take up oestradiol. The structure specificity of the uptake was demonstrated by the two 17-OH isomers of oestradiol. 17β-oestradiol was more uterotrophic than the 17α-isomer and the 17β-isomer was also a stronger inhibitor of 17β-oestradiol-3H uptake in uterus and vagina than the 17α-isomer. This indicates a relationship between uptake in the target organs and oestrogenic activity. Progesterone and cortisol given before oestradiol-3H did not depress the uptake of radioactivity. Testosterone if anything stimulated the uptake. The uptake in liver and muscle was essentially not inhibited.