bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A COMPARISON OF THE ANTIFERTILITY AND HORMONAL ACTIVITIES OF SOME NEW SYNTHETIC OESTROGENS
Authors: Bennett J. P. , Kendle K. E. , Vallance D. K. , Vickery B. H.
Published: December 2008

The oestrogenic and post-coital antifertility activities of fourteen new synthetic steroids have been compared in the mouse and rat. The uterotrophic and post-coital antifertility potencies did not exactly parallel each other in either species. Maximum activity was found to reside in different compounds in the two species.

The optimal day for prevention of pregnancy by administration of a single dose of BDH 2700 (17α-chloroethynyl-3,17β-dimethoxy-oestra1,3,5(10)-triene), a representative member of the series, was the third or fourth day of pregnancy in the mouse and the fourth day in the rat. The minimum completely effective dose was 90 μg/kg in the mouse and 810 μg/kg in the rat.

The post-coital antifertility activity of BDH 2700 in the rat has been demonstrated as resulting from an increase in the rate of egg transport with their eventual expulsion through the vagina.
FURTHER STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF OESTROGENS ON ANDROGEN DEPENDENT FRUCTOSE FORMATION IN SEX ACCESSORY ORGANS
Authors: Thomas John A. , Knych Edward T.
Published: December 2008

Testosterone alone had a stimulating effect on the fructose formation in castrate mice, but the combined treatment of testosterone and oestrogen caused significant reductions in anterior prostate levels of this carbohydrate. Oestrogens were more effective in counteracting the action of testosterone when injected early rather than late after castration. Ethynyl oestradiol and oestradiol benzoate were more effective in counteracting testosterone than other oestrogens studied. There was a greater reduction in fructose levels when lower doses of injected testosterone were simultaneously administered with oestrogen(s).

In the seminal vesicles a synergistic action between testosterone and various oestrogens on fructose levels was commonly observed, though antagonism is also evident. Increasing the period of time between castration and initial injection appeared to enhance the synergistic actions of the two hormones.
FINE STRUCTURE OF HUMAN PARATHYROID GLANDS: NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL
Authors: Weymouth Richard J. , Sheridan Michael N.
Published: December 2008

The fine structure of normal, hyperplastic and adenomatous parathyroid glands of man have been described. Electron dense granules, similar to those described in man by Roth & Munger (1962) and identified as secretory material, have been described. However, before the definite significance of these granules can be defined, cytological studies must be more extensive and correlated with biochemical and fractionation analyses. These same granules have been described within the mitochondrial crista, and a functional sequence has been postulated.

Cytologically »typical« chief and oxyphil cells have been identified. On the basis of the number of mitochondria, many intermediate or transitional cells are described. It is postulated that there may be a single parenchymal cell type of the parathyroid glands of man which may be cytologically modified to represent varying physiological activities of this gland.
CASTRATION-INDUCED OBESITY IN MICE.
Authors: Hausberger Franz X. , Hausberger Brigitte C.
Published: December 2008

Body composition and histology of the adrenal cortex and the islets of Langerhans were compared in yellow-obese mice, their intact non-obese littermates and their castrated, originally non-obese littermates. In our colony, yellow females were heavier and fatter than males. Obesity developed in yellow mice of both sexes which were fed a commercial diet containing 12% fat. The extractable body fat of the yellow animals was more than twice as high as that of controls. The fat content of gonadectomized animals was significantly higher than that of the yellow obese mice although their average body weight was slightly less. The adrenal cortex of the castrates showed subcapsular hypertrophy, and the islets of the pancreas were enlarged due to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the beta cells. The literature concerning obesity and adrenal cortical and islet changes, after castration, has been reviewed and the thesis has been discussed that cortical changes after castration stimulate accelerated release of insulin and obesity.
VASCULAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF OESTROGENS.
Authors: Lorenzen J. , Headings V.
Published: December 2008

The reaction of the aortic wall to noradrenaline-induced injury in female and male rabbits was compared. The male rabbits showed the most extensive gross and microscopic lesions in aortae and simultaneously the greatest changes in the arterial systolic blood pressure, following injections of noradrenaline. Nevertheless the female aortae revealed the most marked biochemical changes in the mucopolysaccharides, reflecting a more vigorous repair-activity. This difference may indicate a greater healing-power of the vascular connective tissue in the female aorta than of that in the male aorta.
ANABOLIC-ANDROGENIC ACTIVITY OF A-RING MODIFIED ANDROSTANE DERIVATIVES.
Authors: Nutting E. F. , Klimstra P. D. , Counsell R. E.
Published: December 2008

The oral activity of 34 steroids administered by stomach catheter was evaluated in castrated rats using the weights of the seminal vesicle glands and ventral lobe of the prostate glands as independent parameters of androgenicity and the weight of the levator ani muscle was used as an index of anabolic activity. 17α-Methyltestosterone was used as the reference standard. A study of various modifications of the A-ring revealed that biological activity was consistent with any one of several distinct changes and did not appear to be related to the electron density in any specific position in the A-ring. Nineteen of the steroids were more potent anabolically than the standard and the eight most active analogues had relative myotrophic potencies ranging from 420–1200% and myotrophic to androgenic ratios ranging from 4.1 to 9.3, respectively. Both saturated and unsaturated 17α-methyl derivatives were represented in this latter group. In general, the most potent compounds anabolically were also among the most active androgenically. Estimates of androgenic potency obtained from the seminal vesicle response were similar to those obtained from the ventral prostate response. The most active anabolic compound (1200%) was the 2-dehydro derivative of 17α-methyl-5α-androstan-17β-ol. The widest separation between anabolic and androgenic activities, myotrophic to androgenic ratio of 9.3, was produced with the 2-dehydro-1α-methyl derivative.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REACTIVITY OF INSULIN IN HUMAN SERUM
Authors: Deckert Torsten , Jorgensen Kai R.
Published: December 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a difference could be demonstrated between crystalline insulin extracted from normal human pancreas, and crystalline insulin extracted from bovine and porcine pancreas. Using Hales & Randle's (1963) immunoassay no immunological differences could be demonstrated between human and pig insulin. On the other hand, a significant difference was found, between pig and ox insulin.

An attempt was also made to determine whether an immunological difference could be demonstrated between crystalline pig insulin and crystalline human insulin from non diabetic subjects on the one hand and endogenous, circulating insulin from normal subjects, obese subjects and diabetic subjects on the other. No such difference was found. From these experiments it is concluded that endogenous insulin in normal, obese and diabetic human sera is immunologically identical with human, crystalline insulin from non diabetic subjects and crystalline pig insulin.
LACK OF PLACENTAL TRANSFER OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE
Authors: Laron Z. , Pertzelan A. , Mannheimer S. , Goldman J. , Guttmann S.
Published: December 2008

Fourteen healthy women were given intravenous injections of either high doses of non-labelled or tracer doses of 131I-labelled human growth hormone (HGH) between 270 and 10 minutes before delivery. The concentration of HGH in the plasma was followed at intervals up to delivery and then in the cord plasma and newborn infant. Both methods of study showed that growth hormone is not transferred from the mother to the foetus. An additional finding was the shortened biological half life (t½) of 131I-HGH in the women at delivery as compared to that in normal adults or adolescents.
HYDROXYPROLINE IN HEALING DERMAL WOUNDS OF NORMAL AND HYPOTHYROID RATS
Authors: Kowalewski K. , Yong S.
Published: December 2008

Various fractions of hydroxyproline were determined in surgical dermal wounds and in the intact skin of normal and hypothyroid rats. Hypothyroidism was induced by feeding the animals for five months with thiouracil containing diet (0.3%). Fourteen day old wounds and samples of intact skin were processed by the extractive chemical method used for the study of tissue collagen. Significant increase of a saline-extractable. and total soluble hydroxyproline, and reduction of insoluble fraction was found in the normal wound. This was considered due to the vigorous biosynthesis of collagen. Such a synthesis was previously found by histological methods in the wounds of the same age in rats. No evidence of the synthesis of new collagen was found in the wounds of hypothyroid rats in which saline-extractable and total soluble fractions of hydroxyproline did not significantly increase during the healing process. Insoluble fractions were higher in the wounds of hypothyroid rats than in normal control animals. It was concluded that biosynthesis, solubility, and overall metabolism of collagen in hypothyroid rats is deficient, under the conditions of this experiment.
PROGESTERON IM MENSCHLICHEN UTERUSMUSKEL WÄHREND DER SCHWANGERSCHAFT
Authors: Zander Josef , Runnebaum Benno
Published: December 2008

In pooled extracts of 233.6 g of human myometrium obtained during 73 caesarian-sections progesterone was identified and quantitated. The quantitative determinations were carried out with four different methods. 1. gaschromatographic determination of free progesterone, 2. UV-spectro-photometric determination of free progesterone, 3. gaschromatographic determination of monochloroacetates of progesterone after enzymatic reduction with 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 4. isotope derivative analysis by formation of the acetate with 1-14C-acetic-anhydride after enzymatic reduction with 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

In the last month of pregnancy the mean progesterone concentration in 9 pooled extracts of myometrium from 11 determinations was 0.16 μg ± 0.06 μg per g of myometrium. In 41 g of myometrium of a single uterus obtained in the fourth month of pregnancy the progesterone concentration was 0.09 μg per g of myometrium.

The identification of progesterone was based on the following criteria: 1. ultraviolet absorption, 2. behaviour in paper- and thin-layer-chromatography, 3. retention times in gas-liquid chromatography with argon ionisation and electron capture detectors, 4. formation of derivates after enzymatic reduction with 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 5. proof of radiochemical purity of the 14C-labeled derivative of progesterone from myometrium.
THE CONVERSION OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE-7α-3H TO OESTROGENS BY CORPORA LUTEA OF EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY
Authors: Flickinger George L. , Wu Chung-Hsiu , Touchstone Joseph C.
Published: December 2008

Incubation of two corpora lutea of early human pregnancy in the presence of dehydroepiandrosterone-7α-3H resulted in a 33—44% yield of oestrone plus 17β-oestradiol. The major oestrogen formed in homogenate preparations was oestrone while in a slice preparation it was 17β-oestradiol. Oestrone and 17β-oestradiol were characterized by solvent partition, paper chromatography and crystallization to constant specific activity after addition of carrier. Acetates of the crystallized oestrogens had the same specific activities as the parent steroids and these derivatives were further identified by thin layer chromatography. These results suggest that dehydroepiandrosterone may serve as a major precursor for oestrogen biosynthesis by human corpus luteum of early pregnancy.
OESTROGENS IN CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA
Authors: Goldzieher Joseph W. , Boyd F. G.
Published: December 2008

Urinary oestrogen excretion was studied in 11 subjects with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, including 7 children and 3 castrates. Oestrogen excretion was significantly elevated in older children and adults, and could be decreased by adrenal suppression with steroids. In one adult castrate, oestrogen excretion was raised by corticotrophin administration but unaltered by 30 000 IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin. Isotope studies showed oestrone production rates up to 760 μg/day and oestradiol production rates up to 221 μg/day. There was a considerable discrepancy between these dynamic measurements and the levels of urinary oestrogen excretion. No peripheral conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone to oestrogen could be demonstrated, while androstenedione was aromatized to the extent of 0.7% in one adult castrate. The data suggest that de novo secretion of adrenal oestrogen occurs in some cases.
ALDOSTERONE STIMULATION IN VITRO
Authors: Müller Jürg , Weick W. Joe
Published: December 2008

The effect of rat serum and serum fractions on biosynthesis of aldosterone, corticosterone and deoxycorticosterone was investigated by a previously described in vitro assay procedure, using adrenal sections from rats which had been kept on a sodium-deficient diet. Addition of small amounts of serum to the incubation medium significantly stimulated aldosterone and deoxycorticosterone production. An almost linear log-dose/response curve was obtained over a 1:100 concentration range. Stimulation of corticosterone biosynthesis was observed only at high concentrations of serum. Whereas most of the aldosterone- and deoxycorticosterone-stimulating activities were dialysable, most of the corticosterone-stimulating activity remained in the non-dialysable fraction. Ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography indicated that the unknown dialysable aldosterone-stimulating substance was different from the known aldosterone-stimulating agents, i. e. angiotensin II and monovalent cations.
RADIOACTIVE SUBSTRATE DISAPPEARANCE ASSAYS IN STEROID ENZYMOLOGY: THE EFFECTS OF PITUITARY TROPHINS AND OESTRADIOL ON THE FINAL STEPS OF ANDROGEN BIOSYNTHESIS
Authors: Loutfi George I. , Hagerman Dwain D.
Published: December 2008

An assessment of the feasibility and advantages of measurement of substrate disappearance for assays of enzyme activity in steroid metabolism was made, and the method was shown to be of wide applicability when certain conditions are met. The method was tested by application to the final steps of androgen biosynthesis by rat testis microsomes. and it was found that chronic treatment of the animal with large doses of LH prior to isolation of the enzyme preparation decreased the activity in this tissue of progesterone-17-hydroxylase, 17α-hydroxy-20-carbonyl cleavage enzyme and 17β-hydroxysteroid (testosterone) dehydrogenase. Oestradiol administration caused a less marked decrease in hydroxylase and dehydrogenase activity without effect on the cleavage enzyme, while FSH administration did not greatly alter the activity of these three enzymes. Chronic TSH administration gave results similar to those obtained with oestradiol.
FORMS OF INSULIN-LIKE ACTIVITY AT DIFFERENT SITES OF THE CIRCULATION IN DOGS
Authors: Lyngsøe Jens , Adams Levi C. , Field Richard A. , Greep Jacobus M.
Published: December 2008

1.

Suppressible serum insulin-like activity (SILA), non-suppressible SILA and the insulin-like activity (ILA) levels of the A (albumin-alpha 1 globulins) and B (beta-gamma globulins) fractions have been quantitated in different sites of the circulation of intact anaesthetized dogs.

Higher suppressible SILA was found in the pancreaticoduodenal vein than in the femoral artery. 10 minutes after the intravenous administration of glucose an increase was noted in suppressible SILA in all sites sampled.

No difference was detected in non-suppressible SILA in the femoral artery and the pancreaticoduodenal vein and the values in the femoral artery and the femoral vein were found to be equivalent. After the administration of glucose, lower values were found in the portal vein than in a hepatic vein, while in the fasting state the values in these two vessels were not different.

The ILA of the A fractions was found to be lower in the femoral vein than in the femoral artery, and after the administration of glucose

a tendency to higher values in the pancreaticoduodenal vein than in the femoral artery was noted.

5. After the administration of glucose the ILA of the B fraction was found to be higher in the pancreaticoduodenal vein than in the femoral artery. The investigation suggested that after the administration of glucose, the ILA of the B fraction was lower in the hepatic vein than in the portal vein.

6. Investigation of immunologically determined insulin showed lower values in the femoral vein than in the femoral artery.

7. The ILA of the A and B fractions was not increased after the oxygenation of the venous blood.
PITUITARY-ADRENAL ACTIVATION IN RATS WITH HEREDITARY HYPOTHALAMIC DIABETES INSIPIDUS
Authors: Arimura Akira , Saito Takashige , Bowers Cyril Y. , Schally Andrew V.
Published: December 2008

Pituitary adrenal activation in rats with hereditary hypothalamic diabetes insipidus (DI) and normal control rats (Brattleboro strain) was studied under various conditions. Plasma corticosterone concentration was essentially the same in resting DI and control rats. No significant difference in plasma corticosterone was observed after giving the animals ether, histamine, vasopressin or acetylcholine. Since DI rats lack vasopressin, these findings provide some evidence that vasopressin is unlikely to be the physiological corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF). Epinephrine induced a smaller increase in plasma corticosterone in DI rats than control animals, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% saline resulted in significantly less elevation of plasma corticosterone in DI rats than normal. This suggests certain differences in responses between normal and DI rats depending upon the intensity or nature of the stress. Hypothalamic CRF in control and DI rats was determined using rats treated with chlorpromazine, morphine and Nembutal®. The CRF of hypothalami of DI rats was about half of that of control animals. In the extracts of posterior pituitary lobes, corticotrophin (ACTH) activity was found in almost the same amount in DI and control rats. The posterior pituitary lobe of DI rats lacked CRF activity when tested in neurohypophysectomized rats. Histological examination of the adrenals of DI rats revealed normal structure, suggesting normal ACTH secretion at rest.
THE FAILURE OF THE PINEAL GLAND REMOVAL IN NEONATAL ANIMALS TO INFLUENCE REPRODUCTION
Authors: Kind Fred A. , Benagiano G.
Published: December 2008

One and five day old male and female rats were pinealectomized and their reproductive function studied when they matured. In females the fertility index was similar to untreated or sham operated groups. However, the females matured 8 to 9 days earlier as evidenced by the opening of the vaginal membrane. In males pinealectomy had no influence on testes development and accessory sex tissue weights. It is concluded that the regulatory function of the pineal gland with respect to gonadal function is a minor one.
FORMATION OF EPITESTOSTERONE BY HUMAN BLOOD AND ADRENAL TISSUE
Authors: Blaquier Jorge , Dorfman Ralph I. , Forchielli Enrico
Published: December 2008

Whole peripheral venous blood from normal men and women, and from females with idiopathic hirsutism was incubated in vitro with labelled testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone. Epitestosterone was formed consistently from added testosterone, in some cases from androstenedione but not from dehydroepiandrosterone. The rate of formation of epitestosterone from testosterone by blood of normal men and women is similar, whereas the rate of formation in blood from female idiopathic hirsutes was several fold greater. In a similar manner, normal human adrenal tissue also formed epitestosterone from added testosterone but not from androstenedione nor dehydroepiandrosterone. These results suggest that the origin of urinary epitestosterone can be the resultant of both peripheral production and endocrine gland secretion.
HEMMUNG VON TESTOSTERONABHÄNGIGEN DIFFERENZIERUNGSVORGÄNGEN DER MÄNNLICHEN RATTE NACH DER GEBURT
Authors: Neumann F. , Hahn J. D. , Kramer M.
Published: December 2008

Male newborn rats were injected with 2 mg of an antiandrogen (1,2α-methylene-6-chloro-pregna-4,6-dien-17α-ol-3,20-dione-17α-acetate = cyproterone acetate) daily from their 1st to their 14th day of life.

The following effects of this treatment were observed in these animals after onset of sexual maturity:

84% of the animals are unable to reproduce.

Penis: the frenulum is broadened to a lamina of triangular shape, which almost completely prevents the preputium from being pushed back.

These males show a rather insufficient male sexual behaviour towards females in oestrus.

After castration and ovar implantation, some of the treated animals show true corpora lutea and at attempts of cohabitation partially female sexual behaviour towards normal male animals.

From these results it can be concluded, that differentiation of the penis is not completed at the time of birth. The infertility of the animals may be caused by the penile changes (difficulties with intromission) as well as by the aimless sexual behaviour. This aimless sexual behaviour, the ability to produce true corpora lutea and finally their partially female sexual attitude under the influence of the hormones from the implanted ovaries led to the conclusion, that the above described neonatal treatment apparently inhibited testosterone-depending post partum developments of sexual differentiation in hypothalamic centers.
DECIDUOMAL RESPONSE IN OVARIECTOMIZED PSEUDOPREGNANT RATS GIVEN OESTRONE AND PROGESTERONE
Authors: Harper M. J. K.
Published: December 2008

The deciduomal response to uterine trauma in rats ovariectomized on day 2 or 4 of pseudopregnancy and given oestrone, 1 μg, progesterone, 2 mg, on various days thereafter has been compared with that in intact pseudopregnant controls. Trauma was effected by inserting a sterile silk thread into the lumen of one uterine horn of each animal on day 5 of pseudopregnancy and the response was evaluated at autopsy on day 9**.

Significant differences in response were observed between rats ovariectomized on days 2 and 4, respectively, of pseudopregnancy. Progesterone whether given alone or with oestrone to rats ovariectomized on day 2 of pseudopregnancy produced an increase in weight of the traumatized horn not significantly smaller than that produced in intact controls. In animals given progesterone alone, however, the ratio of weight of the traumatized to untraumatized horns (T/U) was significantly smaller than control. In animals ovariectomized on day 4 of pseudopregnancy a different situation obtained. Progesterone alone from ovariectomy to autopsy produced only a moderate increase in the weight of the traumatized horn and a ratio T/U half that seen in control animals. Thus, in such animals both oestrone, given at least on day 4, and progesterone were needed to produce a deciduomal response not different from control.
SEX DIFFERENCES OF THE RESPONSE OF THE ADRENAL GLAND OF THE RAT TO MESENCEPHALIC LESIONS
Authors: Reissenweber N. J. , Domínguez R. , Griñó E. , Sás J. , Benedetti W. L. , Appeltauer L. C.
Published: December 2008

The pituitary-adrenal system of adult rats of both sexes bearing small bilateral electrolytic lesions in the periaqueductal gray matter of the mesencephalon (PGM) was studied.

Female animals showed a significant increase in the weight of the adrenal gland and in the number of mitoses; there was a marked diminution of histochemically detectable alkaline phosphatases and variations in simple esterases, neutral fats and cholesterol. Conversely, male animals with similar nervous lesions did not show adrenal hypertrophy or changes in its mitotic count and only slight variations in the lipid content.

The administration of small doses of oestradiol dipropionate (2 μg/rat/d) to male induced slight changes in only some of the parameters studied. When oestrogen was given to animals bearing lesions in the PGM, a significantly larger adrenal hypertrophy was obtained than in the preceding case, but with an increase of capillary alkaline phosphatases.

These results suggest that the central neural control of corticotrophin secretion in the rat is different in both sexes and that oestrogen could be one of the factors involved in such a difference.
AN UNUSUAL CASE OF VITAMIN D TOXICITY
Authors: Sterling F. H. , Rupp J. J.
Published: December 2008

A case of marked sensitivity to vitamin D, is discussed. The reason for the occurrence of hypercalcaemic crisis three weeks after the beginning of treatment with 100 000 units of vitamin D is unknown. The possibility that either lack of thyrocalcitonin or synergism with a tumour produced parathormone-like substance played a role in the hypersensitivity to calciferol is suggested. The important but rarely reported electrocardiographic pattern of extreme hypercalcaemia was noted.
CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION AFTER THERAPEUTICALLY INDUCED REMISSION IN 12 CASES OF CUSHING'S SYNDROME
Authors: Ernest Ingrid
Published: December 2008

Exchangeable potassium (Ke) and total body water (TBW) were determined before treatment and 5–46 months after therapeutically induced remission in 12 cases of Cushing's syndrome. In six patients, Ke was determined repeatedly after treatment. From these measurements changes in body cell mass (BCM), body fat and in the volume of extracellular water (ECW) were estimated.

BCM increased in all cases but two and this increase was most marked in the patients who showed muscular wasting. This increase often developed slowly and was probably related to physical activity. In six patients suffering from severe Cushing's syndrome, the increase in BCM varied between 1.7–6.9 kg (mean 3.5 kg). Body fat decreased on an average by 6.1 kg. Before treatment, the patients looked obese but the overweight was moderate in relation to height.

The calculated ECW did not change significantly in most cases. Only in one case was considerable overhydration present in the absence of heart disease. Significant intracellular deficit of potassium was probably not present in this series of patients.
ISOLATION OF 15α-HYDROXYOESTRADIOL FROM HUMAN PREGNANCY URINE
Authors: Lisboa B. P. , Goebelsmann U. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

From the ether extract of a pool of 100 litres of acid hydrolyzed late pregnancy urine some 5 mg of 15α-hydroxyoestradiol (oestra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,15α,17β-triol) have been isolated.
COMPARISON OF OESTROGEN-INDUCED GLYCOGENESIS IN THE UTERUS OF THE RAT, RABBIT AND SHEEP
Authors: Bitman Joel , Cecil Helene C. , Wood Joan R. , Wrenn T. Randall
Published: December 2008

Essentially similar 2- to 3-fold increases in glycogen concentration were observed in uteri of rats, rabbits and sheep in the first six to ten hours after administration of 17β-oestradiol. Rats and rabbits were treated with alloxan to assess the effect of high circulating levels of glucose upon uterine glycogen and upon uterine glucose shifts. Uterine glycogen was elevated to a level almost as high as that achieved under oestrogen stimulation. Oestrogen administration caused a further increase in glycogen concentration. Free uterine glucose was measured in each species to see whether an increase in glucose availability occurred. The relative expansion in glucose space was compared to chloride space (used as an index of extracellular volume) to determine if there was an influx of glucose into the uterine cell. In the rat uterus and in the sheep endometrium, increases in free uterine glucose were observed, but the rabbit uterus and sheep myometrium synthesized glycogen without showing an increase in free glucose in the tissue.
BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL IN MICE.
Authors: Rerup Claus , Lundquist Ingmar
Published: December 2008

Using serial sampling (25 μl) the blood glucose level in individual mice was followed during the induction of and during the steady state of alloxan diabetes. It was found that 70 mg/kg body weight of alloxan, given intravenously to female NMRI mice, caused 1) a rapid blood glucose level increase to 300–400 mg/100 ml within 45 minutes (initial hyperglycaemia), the increase being highly significant after 10 minutes; 2) a subsequent fall in blood glucose (hypoglycaemic phase) to levels of about 50 mg/100 ml measured from 4–8 hours following alloxan injection, sometimes associated with convulsions and death; 3) permanently elevated blood sugar levels from 12–48 hours after alloxan injection (final hyperglycaemia).

Permanently diabetic mice still possess a blood sugar level homeostatic mechanism as shown by relatively constant individual blood glucose levels in a population with large differences between animals. This mechanism is highly sensitive to external influences such as handling and blood sampling. A second dose of alloxan, diabetogenic in normal mice, was completely ineffective in diabetic mice irrespective of their degree of hyperglycaemia. Insulin administration or hypophysectomy abolished the initial hyperglycaemia following alloxan injection. Adrenalectomy greatly reduced but failed to abolish the initial hyperglycaemic phase. Alloxan injection into hypophysectomized or adrenalectomized animals resulted in fatal hypoglycaemia. Alloxan diabetic mice responded to hypophysectomy by a total disappearance of hyperglycaemia within 24 hours and death in severe hypoglycaemia within one week.

Liver glycogen levels were decreased during the initial hyperglycaemic phase. The hypothesis is put forward that the liver glycogen level at the time of alloxan injection may play a role in the occurrence and intensity of the initial hyperglycaemic phase.
ENDEMIC GOITER IN PEDREGOSO (Chile)
Authors: Barzelatto J. , Beckers C. , Stevenson C. , Covarrubias E. , Gianetti A. , Bobadilla E. , Pardo A. , Donoso H. , Atria A.
Published: December 2008

A survey on goiter was carried out in Pedregoso, an isolated Indian Reservation in the Chilean Andes. A palpable goitre was present in 84 per cent of the adult population. All subjects were clinically euthyroid and had a normal contraction time of the Achilles tendon reflex. The mean value for serum PBI was 5.06 μg/100 ml, with 22% of the cases having values below 4 μg. Iodine deficiency was established by its low concentration in drinking water (0.35 μg/liter) and in the urine (33 μg/24 h).

Radioiodine studies showed an average thyroid uptake of 68% at 24 h with a tendency to increase directly with thyroid size and to decrease with age. Serum labelled PBI reflected different radioiodine turnover rates, highest values being more frequent in large nodular goitres. Triiodothyronine (T3) suppression tests were negative in about one-third of the goitrous subjects. Perchlorate tests and antithyroid antibodies determinations consistently gave negative results.

Thyroxine (T4) was always the main labelled compound, T3 being significantly present in 9 out of 22 cases. Up to 18% of the circulating radioiodine at 48 h was not butanol-extractable, and appeared in the initial fraction of column chromatography analysis. Six out of 58 cases also showed endogenously labelled diiodotyrosine (DIT), which constituted up to 10% of the total circulating radioiodine at 48 h. After intravenous injection of a tracer dose labelled DIT, 5.8 per cent ± 0.51 of the dose was excreted unchanged in the urine within 2 h. The highest values were observed in the largest goitres.

The extra-thyroid organic iodine compartment was investigated after the injection of labelled T4 and T3. An increase in fractional turnover rate was always observed associated with an increase in the thyroxine distribution space.
EFFECT OF ANDROGENISATION ON ADENOHYPOPHYSIAL PROLACTIN CONTENT IN RATS
Authors: Kurcz M. , Kovács K. , Tiboldi T. , Orosz A.
Published: December 2008

The adenohypophyses of androgenised female rats contain significantly less prolactin than control animals. Testosterone phenylpropionate administered in the early postnatal period does not markedly change the adenohypophysial prolactin content of male rats. Since examination of the mammary gland provide no evidence of increased prolactin secretion, the decrease in the adenohypophysial prolactin content of androgenised female rats must be explained by reduced hormone production. It is suggested that androgenisation in female rats influences prolactin production by an action on the hypothalamus.
DER INSULINHYPOGLYKÄMIE-TEST ALS FUNKTIONSPRÜFUNG DES HYPOTHALAMUS-HYPOPHYSEN-NEBENNIERENRINDEN-SYSTEMS.
Authors: Bethge H. , Nahmer D. v. d. , Zimmermann H.
Published: December 2008

In 22 subjects determinations of blood sugar and plasma corticosteroids (11-OHCS) were carried out before and during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. In 17 of these patients (free from endocrine disorders) whose blood sugar fell below 45 mg/100 ml a distinct increase in plasma concentrations of 11-OHCS was noted. The mean maximal increase was found to be 13.1 ±3.7 μg/100 ml (range: 6.4–19.6 μg/100 ml). At sixty minutes p. i. the mean value of 11-OHCS was 25.3 ± 4.3 μg/100 ml. Of another 5 patients (2 with diabetes mellitus) where the blood sugar did not fall below 50 mg/100 ml 4 showed no increase in plasma corticosteroids. In order to effect an increase, in healthy subjects an insulin dose of 0.15 U/kg body weight is recommended. The increase of corticosteroid levels in plasma during hypoglycaemia is considered to be the consequence of stress-induced stimulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. This mechanism provides the base of the test in the detection of hypothalamic or pituitary disturbances (hypoglycaemia-test). The pathophysiological significance of this test is compared with that of the metopiron-test and its advantages over the pyrogen-test discussed.
STUDIES OF EOSINOPHIL GRANULOCYTES
Authors: Baker A. P. , Bergman F. , Paul K. G.
Published: December 2008

A cyclic variation in peroxidase activity, accounted for by the number of eosinophil granulocytes, occurs in the uterus. To investigate whether this variation could be a result of the variations in the secretion of oestrogens and progestogens the following experiments were performed. Castrated female mice were treated with various combinations of such hormones and it was found: (i) The peroxidase activity induced by 17β-oestradiol was almost entirely suppressed by the simultaneous administration of progesterone. (ii) The peroxidase activity induced by the longacting preparation 17β-oestradiol-p-propoxyphenylpropionate was substantially decreased by the long-acting progesterone capronate, given simultaneously. (iii) Simultaneous, single injections of the long-acting oestrogen and the short-acting progesterone produced peroxidase activities, initially lower but subsequently higher than those caused by this oestrogen alone.

Previous investigators have found that 17β-oestradiol reduces the number of granulated mast cells in the uterus of spayed mice. In order to study the possible relation between mast cell degranulation and eosinophilia in the uterus, we treated spayed rats with some combinations of the histamine liberator 48/80 and the long-acting oestrogen. 48/80 alone did not induce eosinophilia in the uterus, whereas the eosinophilia in response to the oestrogen was enhanced by a previous mast cell degranulation.

Cortisone, administered together with the oestrogen, suppressed the uterine peroxidase activity.

Some effects of the three steroid hormones and of 48/80 on the weight of the uterus are described and discussed.
KIDNEY BIOPSY FINDINGS IN FAMILIAL CHLORIDE DIARRHOEA
Authors: Pasternack A. , Perheentupa J. , Launiala K. , Hallman N.
Published: December 2008

Percutaneous renal biopsies from seven children with familial chloride diarrhoea were studied. The age of the patients ranged from one month to three and a half years. Typical potassium losing nephropathy was observed in the three youngest children. Nephrocalcinosis was found in all the biopsies. Hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus was present in all children. Arteriolar and arterial changes resembling those seen in hypertensive disease were observed. On the basis of these findings a hypothesis for the pathogenesis of the syndrome is presented.
CORTICOSTEROID-BINDING ACTIVITY IN SERUM OF MOUSE, RABBIT AND GUINEA PIG DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT IN THE INITIATION OF LACTATION
Authors: Gala Richard R. , Westphal Ulrich
Published: December 2008

Corticosteroid-binding activity was determined during pregnancy and lactation in the sera of mouse, rabbit and guinea pig. The measurements were made by multiple equilibrium dialysis using 14C labeled corticosteroids at 37° C. There was a marked increase of binding activity in all three species during pregnancy followed by a decline to the levels of nonpregnant animals during lactation. Serum corticosteroid concentrations paralleled but appeared subsequent to changes in corticosteroid-binding activity during pregnancy and lactation.

In the mouse, no sex difference in »resting« corticosterone levels was noted, but the corticosteroid-binding activity was almost 3 times higher in the female animal than in the male. This difference was reflected in a greater amount of unbound corticosterone in the male as evidenced by lower thymus weights. Calculation of the approximate amount of unbound corticosteroid in the mouse and rat during pregnancy revealed a decline at mid pregnancy, followed by an increase from late pregnancy through lactation. In the rabbit and guinea pig, unbound corticosteroid values did not follow similar trends. A mechanism is suggested for the initiation of lactation in the rat, involving the corticosteroid-binding globulin and its endocrine control.
PROGESTERONE IN THE HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD IN THE PREOVULATORY PERIOD OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Authors: Runnebaum Benno , Zander Josef
Published: December 2008

Progesterone was determined and identified in human peripheral blood during the preovulatory period of the menstrual cycle, by combined isotope derivative and recrystallization analysis. The mean concentration of progesterone in 1.095 ml of plasma obtained 9 days before ovulation was 0.084 μg/100 ml. However, the mean concentration of progesterone in 1.122 ml of plasma obtained 4 days before ovulation was 0.279 μg/100 ml. These data demonstrate a source of progesterone secretion other than the corpus luteum. The higher plasma-progesterone concentration 4 days before ovulation may indicate progesterone secretion of the ripening Graafian follicle of the ovary.
REGIONAL RESPONSES OF INTERRENAL TISSUE AND OF CHROMAFFIN TISSUE TO HYPOPHYSECTOMY AND STRESS IN PIGEONS
Authors: Miller Richard A.
Published: December 2008

The effect of hypophysectomy and of stress upon the weight of chromaffin tissue and of central and peripheral interrenal tissue was measured in pigeons hypophysectomized for as long as 128 days. Although uncomplicated removal of the pars distalis evoked only slight decrease in total adrenal weight, interrenal tissue decreased progressively in weight with time, while chromaffin tissue increased slightly. Atrophy of interrenal tissue was confined to the central part of the tissue, while the weight of the peripherally located interrenal tissue remained unchanged for up to 128 days.

Stress evoked increase in the weight of both peripheral and central interrenal tissue as well as of chromaffin tissue in hypophysectomized pigeons. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia were greater in interrenal tissue than in chromaffin tissue, and more marked peripherally in the interrenal tissue than centrally.

Although the changes in weight suggested that interrenal tissue of the pigeon has a region comparable to the mammalian glomerular zone in its response to hypophysectomy and to stress, no changes in the renal juxtaglomerular apparatus were observed. The juxtaglomerular apparatus in pigeons, which differs in certain respects from that of the mammal, is described.
ENDOCRINE FUNCTION FOLLOWING TREATMENT OF PITUITARY ADENOMA
Authors: Elkington S. G. , Buckell Monamy , Jenkins J. S.
Published: December 2008

At intervals varying from 1 to 25 years after combined surgical and radiotherapeutic treatment of pituitary adenoma 152 patients were examined and the state of their endocrine function assessed: the validity of this classification was supported by detailed investigation of 30 patients. 78% of the 152 patients studied were found to suffer from pituitary insufficiency, but only 33% were receiving treatment. It was found that a slight degree of endocrine disorder caused much discomfort to both patients and relatives; earlier recognition and treatment of this state is recommended, since replacement therapy is effective and has few unwanted effects.
BODY CELL MASS DURING LONG-TERM TREATMENT WITH CORTISONE AND ANABOLIC STEROIDS IN ASTHMATIC SUBJECTS
Authors: Lindholm Björn
Published: December 2008

Thirty-six patients (17 males and 19 females) with severe bronchial asthma were treated for more than two years with cortisone and norandrolone. The patients were followed by repeated estimations of the body cell mass (BCM) using total exchangeable potassium (Ke) as a parameter of cell mass. In ten of the female patients, determinations of total body water (TBW) were also performed at the end of anabolic treatment. BCM increased significantly in both male (3.3 kg) and female (4.5 kg) patients. The relative increase in BCM was more pronounced in the female (25%) than in the male patients (13%). After one year of anabolic therapy, no further increase in BCM was demonstrated in either sex. The male patients did not increase more than was seen in male patients on cortisone only and previously reported. The average body weight was unchanged during the study, indicating a decrease in body fat. In the female patients, the final relative body cell mass was higher than in normal women and similar to that of normal men. TBW also increased in proportion to Ke and at the end of treatment the quotient TBW/B.W. was not different from that of normal men. The regression of Ke on TBW was normal. The significance of these findings are discussed.

During treatment, one woman developed radiological signs of osteoporosis and two males showed progression of bone atrophy, which was diagnosed before the study.
EFFECTS OF EXTRAHYPOTHALAMIC DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANTS ON THE PITUITARY-ADRENAL SYSTEM
Authors: Davidson Julian M. , Feldman Shaul
Published: December 2008

To study the possible involvement of extrahypothalamic regions of the brain in the negative feedback inhibition of corticotrophin (ACTH) secretion by corticoids, the effects of crystalline dexamethasone implants on compensatory adrenal hypertrophy (CAH) were investigated. Complete inhibition of CAH or actual adrenal atrophy followed implantation in a rather widespread field stretching from the anterior hypothalamus through the preoptic area to the septal and bordering regions. The effectiveness of implants in the septal-preoptic areas was not due to destruction of cerebral tissue, since electrolytic lesions in these regions had no significant effect on CAH. Although diffusion of the implanted steroid probably played some role in these results, they cannot be explained by simple diffusion to the hypothalamic median eminence, since implants just posterior or lateral to this area were generally ineffective. It was concluded that either (1) forebrain structures remote from the median eminence are sensitive to the negative feedback effects of corticosteroids, or (2) some unknown mechanism facilitates selective diffusion of implanted steroid from these regions to the basal hypothalamus, in preference to diffusion from other regions.
STUDIES ON THE METABOLISM OF C-19 STEROIDS IN THE HUMAN FOETO-PLACENTAL UNIT.
Authors: Lamb E. , Mancuso S. , Acqua S. Dell' , Wiqvist N. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) labelled with 3H and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) labelled with 14C were simultaneously administered into the arterial supply of four placentas perfused in situ immediately following the removal of the foetus at midpregnancy.

From the perfused placentas testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), oestrone (OE1) and 17β-oestradiol (OE2) derived from the metabolism of both DHA and DHAS were isolated in a radiochemically homogeneous form. In addition DHA derived from DHAS was isolated. No labelled 19-hydroxy-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, or 3β,19-dihydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one was detected.

From the perfusates the same steroids were isolated as from the placentas. They contained so small amounts of 3H that their radiochemical homogeneity could be established only on the basis of the 14C label.

The 3H/14C ratio of the A isolated from each placenta was higher than that of DHA and OE1 isolated from the same source, indicating a higher contribution of DHAS to A than to DHA or OE1 However, no conjugated or unconjugated intermediates between DHAS and A other than DHA were detected. One possible explanation for the differences in isotope ratios based on the existence of two hypothetical placental compartments, is discussed.
STUDIES ON THE AROMATISATION OF NEUTRAL STEROIDS IN PREGNANT WOMEN.
Authors: Dell'Acqua S. , Mancuso S. , Eriksson G. , Ruse J. L. , Solomon S. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

16α-Hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone-7α-3H (16αHO-DHA), 16α-hydroxy-androstenedione-4-14C (16αHO-A) and 16α-hydroxy-testosterone-4-14C (16αHO-T) were synthesized. Human placentas were perfused in situ at midpregnancy with these steroids and the radioactive material recovered from the placentas and perfusates was analysed. In order to compare the aromatisation of 16α-hydroxylated and 16-desoxy precursors, in a second series of perfusions 16αHO-DHA was combined with differently labelled dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and 16αHO-T with testosterone (T).

Following the perfusion of 16αHO-DHA, both 16αHO-A and oestriol (OE3) were isolated from the placentas and perfusates. No labelled androst-5-ene-3β,16α,17β-triol (Δ5-TRIOL) or 16αHO-T was detected in these sources.

When 16αHO-A or 16αHO-T was perfused, OE3 was isolated from the placenta and perfusates. However, there was no interconversion between 16αHO-A and 16αHO-T.

No oestrogenic ring D ketols were found in the placentas and perfusates in any of the experiments.

The extent of aromatisation (judged from the amount of oestrogen isolated from the placenta and perfusate) was approximately the same following the perfusion of 16αHO-DHA, 16αHO-A, DHA and T, but was much lower when 16αHO-T was perfused. The low degree of aromatisation of 16αHO-T was associated with the presence of large amounts of unchanged 16αHO-T in the placentas as well as in the perfusates. The transfer of 16αHO-T to the maternal compartment was also much lower than that of the other precursors studied.

It is concluded that

the placental transfer and aromatisation of 16αHO-T is much lower than those of other oestrogen precursors. This condition might lead to the accumulation of this compound in the placenta.

The placental metabolism of Δ5-TRIOL and 16αHO-DHA follow separate pathways with no interconversion until the stage of aromatisation, or possibly 19-hydroxylation.