bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE SUBCELLULAR DISTRIBUTION OF 17β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE IN THE HUMAN TERM PLACENTA
Authors: Thomas C. M. G. , Veerkamp J. H.
Published: December 2008

Human term placenta tissue homogenates were subjected to differential centrifugation procedures. The composition of the subcellular fractions was monitored with a number of marker enzymes and the effectiveness of these enzyme systems was evaluated. The subcellular fractions were tested for their 17β-hydroxy dehydrogenase activity on testosterone, oestradiol and the synthetic substrate retrotestosterone.

Buffer medium composition showed a direct influence upon enzyme distribution patterns of all fractions during the same differential centrifugation procedure. All enzyme activities tested became less sedimentable when glycerol was present in the fractionation buffer. Glycerol stabilized soluble 17β-hydroxy dehydrogenase activity during fractionation. The activity of steroid-converting enzymes was inhibited by the presence of glycerol in the medium.

Subcellular distribution of marker enzymes did not sustain the presence of mitochondrial 17β-hydroxy dehydrogenase but related it to microsomal contamination. In general the proportion of 17β-hydroxy dehydrogenase activity in the particulate fractions showed a decrease in the substrate order retrotestosterone > testosterone > oestradiol which was independent from the buffer medium used.

Specific activities for both particle-bound and soluble 17β-hydroxy dehydrogenase increased in the substrate order retrotestosterone < testosterone < oestradiol. The particulate enzyme activity was maximal with NAD+ for the three substrates tested, but in the cytosol fraction NADP+ was the preferential co-enzyme only when oestradiol was used as the substrate.
STUDIES ON ECTOPIC ACTH-PRODUCING TUMOURS.
Authors: Yamamoto H. , Hirata Y. , Matsukura S. , Imura H. , Nakamura M. , Tanaka A.
Published: December 2008

In order to elucidate whether ectopic ACTH-producing tumours elaborate corticotrophin-releasing factors (CRF)-like materials, the CRF-like activity of tumour extracts was measured by the in vitro pituitary incubation method. Seven out of 12 tumour extracts with suspected ACTH-producing tumours showed CRF-like activity. No correlation was found between ACTH and CRF-like activities in tumour extracts in which both activities were present. The dose-response curve of a tumour extract was almost parallel to that of crude CRF (NIAMDD) and clearly different from those of lysine-8-vasopressin and arginine-vasopressin, both of which showed CRF-like activity by this assay method.

Trypsin digestion considerably lowered the CRF-like activity of a tumour extract. These results suggest that ectopic production of CRF-like substance(s) occurs more frequently than was supposed previously, especially in ACTH-producing tumours.
EVIDENCE FOR THE ADRENAL SOURCE OF ANDROGENS IN PRECOCIOUS ADRENARCHE
Authors: Korth-Schutz Sigrun , Levine Lenore S. , New Maria I. , Chow Diane M.
Published: December 2008

In order to determine the source of androgens in precocious adrenarche, serum androgens were determined in 8 girls with precocious adrenarche and 5 agonadal children in adrenarche under conditions of adrenal and gonadal stimulation and suppression. All androgens increased with ACTH stimulation in both groups. Stimulability of serum androgens in girls with precocious adrenarche with ACTH was more consistent than in 13 prepubertal children. Human chorionic gonadotrophin administration increased serum Δ4-androstenedione, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the girls with precocious adrenarche but not in the agonadal children, demonstrating the failure of HCG to stimulate adrenals.

Dexamethasone suppression decreased levels of all androgens in both groups, whereas Norlutin® or Ovral® produced variable changes.

These studies support the adrenal origin of androgens in precocious adrenarche and the lack of ovarian contributions in this condition.
THE SEROTONIN RETAINING EFFECT OF LITHIUM IN THE RAT THYROID
Authors: Vejlsted H. , Korsgaard O.
Published: December 2008

The hypothesis of a lithium induced serotonin retention in the rat thyroid has been tested. It has been found that the thyroid in rats treated with lithium contains double the amount of serotonin compared with glands from untreated animals. The ability of TSH to stimulate serotonin release is inhibited by lithium.

The ability of serotonin to stimulate thyroid hormone secretion in vitro is documented. The inhibitory action of lithium on both TSH and serotonin stimulation of hormone release is documented.

The serotonin retaining effect of lithium as part of the goitrogenic effect of this ion is discussed.
EFFECTS OF ACTH AND ITS O-NITROPHENYL SULPHENYL DERIVATIVE ON ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION IN VIVO
Authors: Ramachandran J. , Kong Y. C. , Liles Susanna
Published: December 2008

Both ACTH and NPS-ACTH in which the single tryptophan residue of the hormone is modified were able to stimulate adrenal corticosterone concentration to the same extent in hypophysectomized rats, although a higher dose of NPS-ACTH was required. ACTH stimulated adrenal cyclic AMP levels 120-fold in hypophysectomized rats whereas NPS-ACTH caused a marginal increase. In the case of ACTH, low doses of the hormone capable of producing maximal stimulation of corticosterone synthesis did not produce any detectable change in cyclic AMP concentration. The rates of secretion of corticosterone induced by ACTH and NPS-ACTH in vivo were the same. NPS-ACTH was found to be 1.2% as potent as ACTH.

The role of cyclic AMP in adrenal repair was investigated by administering equipotent doses of ACTH or NPS-ACTH to hypophysectomized rats. In adult rats both failed to produce a significant increase in adrenal weight. Adrenal function (measured by responsiveness to exogenous ACTH in vitro) was restored by NPS-ACTH but not to the same degree as ACTH. In hypophysectomized weanling rats, ACTH produced a small but significant increase in adrenal weight but NPS-ACTH did not. These results suggest that an increase in adrenal cyclic AMP may not be obligatory for the stimulation of steroidogenesis by ACTH and that some of the trophic actions of the hormone may be mediated by cyclic AMP.
PERMEABILITY OF OVARIAN FOLLICLES TO ELECTRON-DENSE MACROMOLECULES
Authors: Cran D. G. , Moor R. M. , Hay Mary F.
Published: December 2008

Ferritin (m. w. 500 000) perfused into the ovarian arteries of sheep permeated the theca interna and was also found in the membrana granulosa of both non-atretic and atretic Graafian follicles. Colloidal gold (m. w. 1 000 000) similarly perfused, was found in the theca interna but not in the granulosa. The results are discussed in terms of the blood-follicle barrier.
RADIOLIGAND RECEPTOR ASSAY OF FSH
Authors: Brown P. S. , Sharpe R. M. , Hartog M. , Shahmanesh M.
Published: December 2008

The assay of FSH by a radioligand receptor assay (RLA) using homogenates of rat testicular tissue incubated for 17 h at 21°C has been assessed. Chloramine-T or lactoperoxidase were used for iodination. The assay gave linear dose-response lines between 30 and 2000 ng sheep FSH/tube, and there was usually no major interference by LH. Two batches of labelled FSH, however, gave assays in which LH showed a striking interaction with FSH. When these batches were avoided and FSH and LH were mixed in ratios that differed less than fourfold, the assay was combined successfully, in the same tubes, with an RLA for LH, using LH and FSH labelled with 131I and 125I respectively. The RLA for FSH was not suitable for assay of FSH in rat serum because of apparent non-specific interference. Assay by RLA of rat FSH, in pituitary homogenates or released during incubation in vitro, gave results which were not closely correlated with those of either conventional bioassay or radioimmunoassay.
DIFFERENCES OF THE EFFECTS OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE ON THE PRODUCTION OF LH AND FSH
Authors: Chowdhury Mridula , Steinberger Emil
Published: December 2008

The effects of testosterone propionate (1 mg/day) on the synthesis and circulating levels of FSH and LH were studied in normal adult male rats. The pituitary and serum gonadotrophins were measured by double antibody radioimmunoassay. The de novo synthesis of gonadotrophins was assessed by the rate of in vitro incorporation of [3H]leucine into the immunoprecipitable FSH and LH. After 4 days of treatment with testosterone propionate the circulating LH levels dropped significantly, while FSH remained unchanged. Pituitary LH content and concentration declined significantly after 1 day, and incorporation of [3H]leucine into the immunoprecipitable LH became undetectable 4 days after initiation of treatment. Pituitary FSH content and concentration showed a significant increase after the 4th day of treatment. A slight tendency towards increased incorporation of [3H]leucine into FSH was observed throughout the treatment period, although it was statistically not significant.

The data provide direct evidence for a differential effect of TP on FSH and LH production by the pituitary and show that the decrease in the pituitary and plasma levels of LH in testosterone treated rats is due to the decrease in LH synthesis.
STUDIES ON PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITY AND FUNCTION OF THE THYROID GLAND IN RATS ADMINISTERED EXCESS IODIDE
Authors: Sinadinović J. , Liewendahl K.
Published: December 2008

Thyroid auto-proteolytic activity in rats increased significantly only after several weeks of treatment with 1 mg iodide per day. Iodide added in vitro did not activate thyroid auto-proteolysis, nor was inhibition observed. Thyroid proteolytic activity was also tested using 131I-labelled heat-inactivated thyroid homogenate from control rats as substrate. Significantly increased proteolytic activity was again demonstrated in thyroid glands from rats on excess iodide for several weeks. The increased proteolytic activity is therefore probably not due to a decreased proteolytic resistance of thyroglobulin in the iodide-treated rats. Increased synthesis or decreased degradation of thyroid proteolytic enzymes is a more likely explanation for this phenomenon. These findings are at variance with those of some previous studies showing decreased proteolytic activity in thyroid glands from rats administered excess iodide. Since the rats remained euthyroid the increased auto-proteolysis, which occurred quite late, was considered an unexpected finding and it is at present not certain whether this is related to the successful adaptation. Treatment with iodide did not alter the thyroid and hypophyseal weight or histology. Serum free thyroxine level and thyrotrophin concentration were also unaffected by excess iodide. The adaptation of the intact rat thyroid to prolonged and excess iodide intake seems to occur without the assistance of an altered thyrotrophin secretion.
BREAST CANCER IN THE FORBES-ALBRIGHT SYNDROME
Authors: Daniels Gilbert H. , Kourides lone A. , Maloof Farahe
Published: December 2008

A 33 year old woman with persistent galactorrhoea developed breast cancer six years after pituitary radiation for a pituitary adenoma (Forbes-Albright syndrome). The possible role of prolactin in human mammary cacinoma is discussed.
INHIBITION AND FACILITATION OF FEEDBACK INFLUENCES OF DEXAMETHASONE ON ADRENOCORTICAL RESPONSES TO ETHER STRESS IN RATS WITH HYPOTHALAMIC DEAFFERENTATIONS AND BRAIN LESIONS
Authors: Feldman Shaul , Conforti Nissim
Published: December 2008

In order to elucidate the mechanisms and the sites of action of the negative feedback of corticoids in the regulation of ACTH secretion, the effects of systemically administered dexamethasone on adrenocortical responses to ether stress were studied in intact rats and in 11 experimental groups. These included animals with partial anterior, anterolateral, posterolateral, posterior and small posterior deafferentations as well as bilateral lesions in the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), fasciculus longitudinalis dorsalis (FLD), medial and lateral midbrain reticular formation (MRF) and in the ventrolateral pons.

In rats with posterior hypothalamic deafferentation the degree of the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone was much smaller than that in intact animals. In animals with lesions in the FLD and MRF, dexamethasone also produced a reduction in the suppression of the response, though the difference was not significant. Bilateral lesions in the MFB and MP have on the other hand very significantly enhanced the effect of the negative feedback of dexamethasone when compared to intact rats. These data would indicate that hypothalamic deafferentations and brain lesions may change the sensitivity of the hypothalamus for the feedback control of corticoids and that there exist two antagonistic systems, an inhibitory and a facilitatory, in the brain which mediate this effect.
TRANSFORMATION OF [1,2-3H] ALDOSTERONE IN THE FOETAL AND PLACENTAL COMPARTMENTS OF THE GUINEA PIG
Authors: Pasqualini J. R. , Bedin M. , Cogneville A. M.
Published: December 2008

In vivo and in vitro transformation of labelled d-aldosterone (11β,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxo-4-pregnen-18-al) was studied in the foetal tissues and placenta of guinea pig (35–45 days of gestation). The principal metabolite found in all of these tissues was tetrahydroaldosterone (3α,18,21-trihydroxy-20-oxo-5β-pregnan-18-al). A large transformation into this metabolite was found in foetal liver (67–68 %) and in the placenta (69–82%). Incubation of [3H]- or [14C] aldosterone with the isolated placenta also showed a large conversion to the tetrahydroderivative suggesting that the reductase(s) of ring A of aldosterone is present in this tissue.

Most of the unmetabolized aldosterone and tetrahydroaldosterone was found in the unconjugated fraction. Very little of the radioactive material was present in the polar steroids extracted with n-butanol. Aldosterone and tetrahydroaldosterone were liberated from this fraction after enzymatic hydrolysis (β-glucuronidase and sulphatase) or by solvolysis, suggesting that part of these conjugates is present in the foetal compartment as sulphate esters and glucuronides. Moreover, in this fraction a polar, unconjugated aldosterone metabolite with the characteristics of an acidic compound was detected.
DISAPPEARANCE OF [14,15-3H]d,l-NORGESTREL FROM PLASMA AND ITS DISTRIBUTION IN THE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF WOMEN
Authors: Uniyal J. P. , Buckshee K. , Sharma U. , Laumas K. R.
Published: December 2008

After an iv injection of [14,15-3H]d,l-norgestrel into 7 women, its disappearance from the plasma and its distribution in the reproductive organs has been investigated. It was found that initially norgestrel disappeared rapidly from the plasma with a half-life of 38.8 min followed by a slower disappearance with a half-life of 45.18 h. The disappearance curve has been analysed on the basis of a biexponential curve representing a two compartmental model. The low metabolic clearance rate of 458.5 1/24 h indicated a more prolonged persistance of norgestrel in the body.

Uptake of norgestrel and its metabolites was very high in the endometrium, myometrium, cervix, Fallopian tube, ovary and body fat. Compared to the myometrium. more norgestrel as such was concentrated in the endometrium at 30 min and 12 h after injection of [14,15-3H]d,l-norgestrel. The myometrium on the other hand contained higher amounts of norgestrel at 5 min. The significance and the possible role of localization of norgestrel at multiple sites in the reproductive tract and its contraceptive action are discussed.
INFLUENCE OF LOW DOSE OESTROGEN ON CIRCULATING PROLACTIN, LH AND FSH LEVELS IN POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Authors: Robyn C. , Vekemans M.
Published: December 2008

The effect on serum prolactin, LH and FSH levels of 25 μg ethinyloestradiol administered daily per os during 27 consecutive days was investigated in 5 post-menopausal women aged 52-78. Blood samples were collected before, during and after treatment. The hormones were assayed in serum by radioimmunological methods. Both LH and FSH decreased progressively and significantly from 120 and 115 mIU/ml before treatment to 52 and 51 mIU/ml, respectively after three weeks of oestrogen administration. Two weeks after interruption of treatment, LH (90 mIU/ml) and FSH (112 mIU/ml) were significantly higher than during the last week of treatment.

Mean prolactin level increased from 127 μU/ml before treatment to 237 μU/ml after 10 days of oestrogen administration (P < 0.001). This increase was significant after 4 to 8 days and the levels remained about twice as high as the control values for the rest of the treatment period. Two weeks after interruption of treatment, serum prolactin had fallen (136 μU/ml) to the pre-treatment levels. Such results raise the question of possible effects of elevated levels of this hormone during long term oestrogen medication in post-menopausal women on the development of breast cancer.
MEDULLARY CARCINOMA OF THE THYROID IN NORWAY
Authors: Normann T. , Gautvik K. M. , Johannessen J. V. , Brennhovd I. O.
Published: December 2008

A study of the clinical, biochemical and histological findings of 57 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MCT) in Norway, is presented. The diagnosis was established by light and electron microscopy and by measurements of immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT) in serum. The major factor influencing the prognosis was the extension of the disease at presentation. None of the 24 patients with tumour confined to the thyroid gland have died of the disease, and serum iCT was normal in 15 patients. Of 19 patients with regional lymph node metastases only 11 are alive I to 14 years after treatment, and of these 9 had increased serum iCT. Of 14 patients technically inoperable and/or with distant metastases, 12 have died of MCT, 2 are alive with elevated serum iCT. Of 14 patients with raised serum iCT, 8 have no clinical recurrence of the disease from 1 to 15 years after the operation. MCT-associated diseases were found in 8 patients, chronic thyroiditis in 10. Serum iCT was measured in 249 relatives of 42 patients, and abnormal elevations were found in 11 members of 6 families.
T4 AND T3 RELEASE FROM THE PERFUSED CANINE THYROID ISOLATED IN SITU
Authors: Laurberg Peter
Published: December 2008

A method for once-through perfusion of the canine thyroid isolated in situ is described. The perfusion medium was a modified Krebs Ringer buffer with 4 % dextran added. In 4 control experiments the T4 and T3 concentrations in effluent were stable or slightly falling during 3 h perfusion. There were no significant alterations in the T4/T3 ratio in the effluent during these experiments.

A 10-min infusion of bovine TSH (1 mU/ml) caused an increase in the release of T4 and T3 after 15–25 min. The T4/T3 ratio in the effluent was significantly reduced after TSH stimulation. However, the ratio returned to pre-stimulation values while the hormone release was still very high. T4 and T3 content of the contralateral thyroid was determined after homogenation and hydrolysis with pronase. The T4/T3 ratio in the homogenate was twice as high as the T4/T3 ratio in the effluent during control perfusion. Thus there was a preferential secretion of T3 from the perfused canine thyroid and this was increased after TSH stimulation.
ENHANCEMENT OF GLUCOSE-STIMULATED INSULIN SECRETION FROM ISOLATED RAT PANCREATIC ISLETS BY HUMAN INSULIN ANTIBODIES
Authors: Hahn H. J. , Menzel R. , Gottschling H. D. , Jahr D.
Published: December 2008

Isolated pancreatic rat islets incubated in vitro were used as a bioassay system for investigating the influence of human insulin antibodies on insulin secretion. Serum samples with different titres of insulin antibodies were obtained from juvenile diabetics after various periods of insulin therapy. The insulin secretion of isolated islets is enhanced by insulin antibodies and positively correlated to the measured antibody titres in serum.
EFFECTS OF ANDROSTENES, 5α-ANDROSTANES, 5β-ANDROSTANES, OESTRENES AND OESTRATRIENES ON SERUM GONADOTROPHIN LEVELS AND VENTRAL PROSTATE WEIGHTS IN GONADECTOMIZED, ADULT MALE RATS
Authors: Verjans H. L. , Eik-Nes K. B.
Published: December 2008

The effects of subcutaneous administration of steroids from the androstene, 5α-androstane, 5β-androstane, oestrene and oestratriene series on serum levels of LH and FSH and on ventral prostate weights were investigated in gonadectomized, adult male rats. Each steroid was administered for seven days in a standard dose of 100 μg per 100 g body weight per day. 5α-Androstanes disubstituted with oxygen in the positions 3 (3-keto or 3α-hydroxy) and 17 (17-keto or 17β-hydroxy) were effective in suppressing either one or both serum gonadotrophins. 5β-Androstanes and androstenes exhibited very little inhibitory effect in this respect. Potent suppression of serum gonadotrophins was observed following treatment with oestratrienes, the presence of only a phenolic A-ring in these oestrogens appeared sufficient for such suppression. 3 or 3β and 17 or 17β disubstituted (keto or hydroxyl) androstenes could entirely or partly prevent ventral prostate weight decrease post-gonadectomy. 5α-Androstane-3α,17β-diol, 5α-androstane-3α,11β,17β-triol and 5α-androstan-17β-ol-3-one were most potent, while 5β-androstanes and oestratrienes had no effect on this decrement. Regulatory processes by steroids at the hypothalamic-pituitary and at the ventral prostate level were not parallel.

The results indicate, however, that 3 or 3α and 17 disubstituted (keto or hydroxyl) 5α-reduced testosterone metabolites, of which 5α-androstan-17β-ol-3-one might be the principal one, are the main steroids directing androgenic regulation at both organ systems tested in the mature male rat.
FACTORS GOVERNING THE STIMULATION OF EMBRYONIC CHICK CARTILAGE BY SOMATOMEDIN
Authors: Herington A. C , Phillips L. S. , Daughaday W. H.
Published: December 2008

In these studies of the stimulation of embryonic chick pelvic rudiments by somatomedin (Sm) in serum, we have found that cartilage weight and duration of cartilage exposure to serum determine the stimulation of cartilage by serum and the relative stimulation by Sm and by other non-Sm serum components, respectively. These factors are critical for the use of this system to measure Sm in serum.

Initial experiments revealed that incorporation of sulfate (SO4) by cartilage incubated in buffer fell rapidly after 9 h and reached very low levels by 30 h. Incubation in 40 % normal human serum (NHS) produced significant stimulation of incorporation of SO4 after 4 h, and maintained at least initial levels of incorporation for 24 h. The greatest % stimulation by NHS over buffer was seen with prolonged incubation (44 h). However, specificity for Sm (discrimination between NHS and hypophysectomized human serum (HHS)) was greater with shorter incubation times. The potency of HHS was 11, 42 and 92 % of the potency of NHS following early, intermediate and late measurement of incorporation of SO4 by cartilage, respectively. The best overall results were obtained with intermediate incubation time and measurement of SO4 incorporation ((35S)-SO4 present for the final 5 h of a 25 h incubation), which allowed good precision (λ = 0.17) while maintaining satisfactory specificity for Sm. Since prolonged incubation with late measurement of SO4 incorporation allowed the greatest % stimulation by serum with little differentiation between NHS and HHS, stimulation of incorporation of SO4 under these conditions is apparently due to non-Sm factors present in both NHS and HHS.

In addition to incubation time, cartilage stimulation by serum was also determined by cartilage weight. Lighter cartilage (from younger embryos) was associated with higher unstimulated incorporation of SO4 (P < 0.01), lower stimulation by added serum (P < 0.01), and inadequate assay precision (P < 0.05): satisfactory assays were generally obtained with cartilage rudiments weighing more than 0.7 mg (dry weight).
CIRCADIAN FLUCTUATIONS OF SERUM HORMONE LEVELS IN PREPUBERTAL MALE AND FEMALE RATS
Authors: Döhler K. D. , Wuttke W.
Published: December 2008

Diurnal variations in serum hormone levels during 2 different stages of prepubertal development were investigated in male and female rats. Groups of 13 to 18 and 25 to 30 day old male and female rats were decapitated at 4-hour by intervals during a period of 24 h. Their blood was collected and hormones were measured by radio-immunoassay.

FSH levels were constantly high in 13 to 18, but low in 25 to 30 day old females. FSH was low in younger males, and significantly higher but without diurnal fluctuations in the older males. Serum LH was low in approximately 40% of the 13 to 18 day old females, while 40% had moderately high levels, and the remaining females extremely high levels of the hormone. Most of the extremely high LH peaks were found at 15.00 h and some at 03.00 h. Older females and males of both age groups had constantly low serum LH levels. Serum oestradiol was high in males and females during days 13 to 18, but it was lower in the 25 to 30 day old animals. In the young females prolactin was slightly elevated between 15.00 h and 19.00 h, while in the males the serum prolactin fluctuations were not significant. Serum testosterone was low in females at all times. The 13 to 18 day old males had higher testosterone levels than the 25 to 30 day old males. Both groups showed slight, but insignificant fluctuations in serum testosterone.

These results confirm result published previously and furthermore they demonstrate the existence of circasemedian or circadian rhythms for both the gonadotrophins and gonadal steroids. These results, also suggest that the maturation of the positive feedback action of oestradiol on gonadotrophin release in female rats occurs between day 10 and 20.
THE LIVER AS A SOURCE OF SOMATOMEDIN
Authors: Schimpff R. M. , Donnadieu M. , Glasinovic J. C. , Warnet J. M. , Girard F.
Published: December 2008

Somatomedin (Sm) activity (measured by [35S] uptake in chick embryo cartilage) was determined in serum samples simultaneously drawn from the hepatic vein, portal vein, femoral artery and femoral vein of seventeen anaesthezied normal adult dogs). A pool of human serum was taken as reference (Sm = 1 U/ml).

Sm levels in the peripheral vein of dogs were 0.38 ± 0.03 U/ml). Mean ± sem).

Sm activity was greater in the hepatic vein (0.48 U/ml) than in the other vessels (0.36, 0.39, 0.38 U/ml), and the paired differences were significant (P<0.02 to P<0.05).

In three dogs which received b-GH (20 IU/day), the Sm levels were significantly increased after nine days in the femoral vein (P < 0.05) and in the hepatic vein (P < 0.05).

The validity of the assay is discussed; a possible interference of NEFA in the assay is eliminated.

The difference of Sm levels between hepatic and portal veins, related to hepatic flow measured in seven of these dogs, indicate an important production of Sm by the liver.
THE INFLUENCE OF NORETHISTERONE OENANTHATE ON OVARIAN FUNCTION
Authors: Weiner Erik , Johansson Elof D. B.
Published: December 2008

Two-hundred mg norethisterone oenanthate was injected im into five women on the fifth or sixth day after the onset of the menstrual bleeding. The plasma levels of oestradiol and progesterone were measured during one control cycle before the injection and then for three months or until ovulation occurred.

According to the plasma progesterone pattern the five women ovulated during the control cycle. After the injection ovulation was delayed in all the subjects. In two of the participants the first ovulation occurred around 55 days after the injection, while in two others ovulation was delayed about 80 days. The fifth woman did not ovulate until 16 weeks after the injection.

The treatment did not suppress the plasma levels of oestradiol below the levels seen in untreated women during the follicular phase.

It is concluded that the treatment with 200 mg of norethisterone oenanthate im can inhibit ovulation for an unpredictable time, but that the ovulatory pattern is restored within 12 weeks in most of the women.
BINDING OF TRITIATED METHYLATED LUTEINIZING HORMONE TO BOVINE CORPUS LUTEUM RECEPTORS
Authors: de la Llosa-Hermier M. Paloma , Hermier Claude , de la Llosa Pedro
Published: December 2008

The binding of luteinizing hormone (LH) to cow corpora lutea homogenates was studied using a tritium labelled hormone obtained by reductive methylation. The KD observed was 0.9 10−10 m and the number of sites was the equivalent of 0.4 10−15 moles per mg of wet tissue. The influence of the pH and temperature was examined. HCG and LH produced the same binding inhibition curves as did unlabelled methylated LH, suggesting that the binding properties of the derivative used for labelling LH were similar to those of native LH. The inhibitory activity of the subunits was extremely low (α-LH: 4%, β-LH: 1%). No significant inhibition was observed in the case of FSH or prolactin.
THE SOURCE OF OVARIAN OESTRADIOL AND ANDROSTENEDIONE IN THE SHEEP DURING THE LUTEAL PHASE
Authors: Baird D. T. , Scaramuzzi R. J.
Published: December 2008

The secretion of oestradiol and androstenedione was investigated in sheep by cannulating both ovarian veins in situ. The mean ovarian blood flow (ml/min ± se) was significantly higher on the side containing the corpus luteum (7.67 ± 1.36) than on the contralateral side (4.93 ± 0.85). The mean secretion (ng/min ± se) of oestradiol (1.09 ± 0.36) and androstenedione (1.52 ± 0.16) was higher on the side containing at least one large follicle (diameter > 4 mm) than on the contralateral side (0.19 ± 0.05 and 0.62 ± 0.21, respectively). The secretion of oestradiol was unchanged following enucleation of the corpus luteum but fell to very low levels (0.062 ± 0.022 ng/min) after enucleation of follicles diameter > 4 mm. The secretion of androstenedione fell significantly after enucleation of both corpus luteum and large follicles. These results suggest that during the luteal phase in the sheep oestradiol is secreted virtually exclusively by the largest non-atretic Graafian follicle. Androstenedione in contrast arises from both follicle, corpus luteum and possibly stroma.
THE PRIMARY EMPTY SELLA AN ENDOCRINE STUDY ON 12 CASES
Authors: Schaison G. , Metzger J.
Published: December 2008

Twelve patients (10 women and 2 men) with a primary empty sella turcica were studied. Endocrine function tests were performed as follows: growth hormone (GH) was measured after insulin-induced-hypoglycaemia, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) after LH-releasing hormone, thyrotrophin (TSH) and prolactin after thyrotrophin-releasing hormone; pituitary reserve of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) was determined by measurement of plasma cortisol after lysinevasopressin and 11 deoxycortisol after metyrapone.

Five of the patients (group A) had no endocrine disturbance.

Seven patients (group B) had a hypothalamo-pituitary disorder. Two of them had panhypopituitarism which appeared in one case after meningoencephalitis and in the other after a severe cranial trauma. In two cases an amenorrhoea-galactorrhoea syndrome with increased prolactin level (68 and 230 ng/ml) led to a diagnosis of a prolactin producing adenoma, which was confirmed by surgery. Finally three cases of amenorrhoeagalactorrhoea, with normal prolactin level, and/or diabetes insipidus remained unexplained. However, no causal relationship could be demonstrated between the pituitary disturbance and the "empty sella".

Primary empty sella turcica is therefore a neuroanatomical and neuroradiological entity with no endocrine implication. A pituitary disorder might suggest a microadenoma or an incidentally associated disease.
SERUM LH AND FSH LEVELS FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS INJECTION OF A GONADOTROPHIN RELEASING PRINCIPLE IN NORMAL AND GONADECTOMIZED ADULT MALE RATS TREATED WITH OESTRADIOL-17β OR 5α-DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE
Authors: Verjans H. L. , Eik-Nes K. B.
Published: December 2008

Effect of intravenous administration of a synthetic gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRF) on circulating LH and FSH concentrations was investigated in normal and gonadectomized, adult male rats injected subcutaneously each day during seven days with various doses of oestradiol-17β or 5α-dihydrotestosterone in sesame oil. Higher increase in serum LH and FSH levels subsequent to intravenously administered GnRF was observed in castrated control animals than in intact control animals, though this increment was not of significant nature for serum FSH. Pre-treatment of normal and gonadectomized rats with oestradiol-17β resulted in an augmented response of serum LH and FSH concentrations to GnRF iv. Pre-treatment of normal and gonadectomized rats with 5α-dihydrotestosterone diminished serum LH and FSH response following administration of the same amount of GnRF. For these steroids to affect the response pattern of serum LH and FSH to GnRF iv, higher doses were required in normal than in gonadectomized animals. The data indicate that oestrogen and androgen may act at different sites in the male hypothalamic-pituitary axis with respect to regulation of pituitary gonadotrophins.
PREGNANT MARE'S SERUM GONADOTROPHIN. I.
Authors: Pal Alok K. , Gupta Tarun , Chatterjee Amar
Published: December 2008

A single consistent Iuteolytic dose of 10 IU PMSG given on day 5 of pregnancy caused complete resorption of foetuses and placentae associated with a polyfollicular ovarian state in rats. Concomitant treatment with progesterone or prolactin given concurrently with PMSG was found to overcome the antifertility efficacy of PMSG and maintained the endocrine balance favouring pregnancy maintenance. It was postulated that the PMSG-induced ovarian polyfolliculogenesis might be responsible for luteolysis of the corpus luteum gravidarum.
EFFECT OF COLD-EXPOSURE ON SERUM THYROTROPHIN LEVELS IN MAN
Authors: Tuomisto J. , Männistö P. , Lamberg B.-A. , Linnoila M.
Published: December 2008

Serum TSH levels were measured after exposing male volunteers to cold, or successively to warmth and to cold, causing clear changes in body temperature. Very moderately heated Finnish sauna bath increased body temperature to about an average of 39°C, and cooling in a relatively warm swimming pool (+25 to +28°C, 30 min) decreased body temperature to below 35°C after sauna, and to about 33°C without sauna. In both cases a slight but significant initial increase of serum TSH was demonstrated. No changes in serum T3 or ETR were seen. The results suggest that a similar mechanism of initial TSH response may exist in humans as has previously been demonstrated in rats.
METABOLISM OF PROGESTERONE IN UTERINE TISSUE OF NON-PREGNANT RATS IN VITRO
Authors: Lisboa B. P. , Holtermann M.
Published: December 2008

The metabolism of labelled progesterone was studied in vitro in uterine tissue of non-pregnant rats with particular emphasis on the influence of substrate concentration. Neither a qualitative nor quantitative difference was found for a steroid tissue ratio between 15 × 10−6 and 4.2 × 10−9 to 1 g (substrate amounts between 57.73 and 0.02 nmol); with both concentrations 42 to 44 per cent of progesterone was metabolized to about 35 per cent monohydroxymonoketonic steroids and 4–6 per cent dihydroxylated C21O2-compounds.

In both sets of incubations we have isolated and identified the following steroids: 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one, 3β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one, 3α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one, 20α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 5α-pregnane-3α,20α-diol and 4-pregnene-3α,20α-diol. The most abundant metabolite formed in these incubations was 3α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one -which corresponds to about 30 per cent of the total activity recovered. It is the first time that the presence of 20α-hydroxysteroid-oxidoreductase activity is definitely established in this type of tissue.

The identification of three allylic alcohols as progesterone metabolites in the rat uterus confirms that Δ4-3-hydroxysteroids are important intermediates in the in vitro uterine metabolism of steroids.
CORTISOL EFFECT ON COLLAGEN BIOSYNTHESIS IN EMBRYONIC EXPLANTS AND IN VITRO HYDROXYLATION OF PROTOCOLLAGEN
Authors: Blumenkrantz Nelly , Asboe-Hansen Gustav
Published: December 2008

The effect of increasing doses of hydrocortisone acetate, hydrocortisone phosphoric acid complex, and hydrocortisone sodium succinate on collagen biosynthesis was assayed in two different systems.

I. Explants of chicken embryo tibiae showed decreased biosynthesis of [14C]hydroxyproline and total and glycosylated [14C]hydroxylysine under the influence of high doses of hydrocortisone. With the lower doses of hydrocortisone acetate, no effect was noticed. The total uptake of the precursor amino acids followed patterns similar to those of collagen biosynthesis.

II. Hydroxylation of [14C]proline labelled protocollagen by protocollagen proline hydroxylase was inhibited by high doses of hydrocortisone acetate, hydrocortisone phosphoric acid complex, and hydrocortisone sodium succinate.

III. A decreased diffusion of collagen to the medium with increasing doses of hydrocortisone acetate, hydrocortisone phosphoric acid, and hydrocortisone sodium succinate was noticed.

IV. No further hydroxylation of new-synthesized collagen was obtained under the influence of hydrocortisone phosphoric acid and hydrocortisone sodium succinate, when the undialyzable material was used as a substrate for protocollagen proline hydroxylase.
EFFECTS OF SMALL DOSES OF L-THYROXINE AND TRIIODO-L-THYRONINE ON PITUITARY LH CONTENT OF THYROIDECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: Aranda A. , Hervás F. , de Escobar G. Morreale , del Rey F. Escobar
Published: December 2008

Pituitary LH was studied by means of a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) in male rats at different time intervals after thyroidectomy (T̄), and in rats which were T̄ at least 30 days before and were then treated with different doses of L-thyroxine or triiodo-L-thyronine.

A decrease in the pituitary LH of the T̄ animals, with respect to the intact age-paired controls, was demonstrable from 13 days after the operation, when total pituitary LH content was taken into consideration, or from 5 days after T̄, when the LH concentration (μg/mg pituitary) was considered. Doses of thyroid hormones lower than the daily maintenance dose for the rat produced very little effect on the pituitary LH levels of T̄ animals. However, a single dose of 1.75 μg of T4 or 0.2 μg of T3 (doses approximately equivalent to the T4 and T3 maintenance dose for T̄ rats) induced such a rapid and intense increase in the pituitary LH content that it no longer differed from that of the intact age-paired controls by 12 hours. Surprisingly, 5.0 μg of T4 and 1.0 μg of T3 did not produce any increase in the pituitary LH content of T̄ rats.
STUDIES IN CONGENITAL GENERALIZED LIPODYSTROPHY
Authors: Oseid Svein , Pruett Esther D. R.
Published: December 2008

Two patients with congenital generalized lipodystrophy have been studied at rest, and during and after long-term exercise at different carefully measured work loads. The two patients represented different stages of diabetes development.

Both patients derived most of their energy used during muscular exercise from carbohydrate, and comparatively little from fat. FFA levels remained low throughout the period of observation in contrast to normal individuals and patients with juvenile diabetes. The data presented seem to show that deposition of glucose and free fatty acids (FFA) as triglyceride, must be impaired and are not compatible with the concept of increased triglyceride turnover in the adipocytes.

The fall in blood glucose concentration (BCG) was less than in normal individuals and juvenile diabetics during exercise, and the glucose tolerance remained unchanged following work stop in both patients (k-values unchanged), in contrast to normal persons and patients with juvenile diabetes.

Both patients showed significant falls in circulating immuno-reactive insulin (IRI) levels during exercise irrespective of a rise or fall in BGC. Thus, the exercise itself might activate endogenous mechanisms which could, on the one hand increase the circulating BGC, and at the same time force circulating IRI to decrease, thus disturbing the well-known relationship between circulating glucose and IRI levels as has been exhibited in normal subjects. The high IRI levels, also during exercise in these patients, indicate a' relative insulin resistance in the muscles, but less marked than the insulin resistance in the adipose tissue.

The IRI response after glucose infusion did not change significantly with increasing work loads with one exception.

Exercise did not alter significantly the human growth hormone (HGH) levels in either the diabetic or the non-diabetic patient indicating an abnormal regulation of the HGH secretion in congenital lipodystrophy.
DEMONSTRATION OF CORTICOTROPHIN-RELEASING ACTIVITY IN RAT AND HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD
Authors: Yasuda Naoki , Greer Monte A.
Published: December 2008

Corticotrophin-releasing activity of rat or human peripheral blood was examined with a sensitive in vitro CRF bioassay, using cultured rat adenohypophyseal cells and ACTH measurement by radioimmunoassay. A dose-related ACTH secretion into the medium occurred in response to plasma or serum obtained from unstressed rats or humans. The minimum effective dose was 2.5 μl (0.1% of the medium concentration). No concomitant release of TSH occurred, indicating that cellular destruction was not the source of ACTH in the medium. As previously found with hypothalamic extract, 50% of the maximum ACTH secretion produced by a given quantity of plasma occurred within 1–5 min. Fifty per cent of CRF activity was retained after plasma was boiled for 5 min. CRF activity of serum was not different in intact, 1–10 min. ether-stressed, adrenalectomized, hypophysectomized or dexamethasone-treated rats. There was no significant difference in CRF activity between serum from intact rats and those with complete forebrain removal and hypophysectomy, indicating that serum CRF originates from a source outside the forebrain or pituitary. Because of the lack of correlation of blood CRF activity with conditions in which there are marked differences in in vivo ACTH concentration, it is possible that the blood CRF activity we measure is non-specific.
EFFECT OF 20α-HYDROXYY-4-PREGNEN-3-ONE ON LUTEINIZING HORMONE SECRETION IN THE FEMALE RABBIT
Authors: YoungLai E. V.
Published: December 2008

Experiments were performed in the rabbit to determine whether 20α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-OHP) can maintain luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion after injections of LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH). Female rabbits were castrated at least 2 weeks prior to investigation. On the day before LH-RH injection they were cannulated and a dose of oestradiol benzoate (OeB), 100 μg/kg, given intramuscularly. LH-RH, 500 ng/kg, was injected as a bolus via the cannula and 20-OHP, 100 μg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg, injected intramuscularly immediately after. Blood was withdrawn at intervals for up to 5½ h after LH-RH injection. LH secretion dropped to pre-stimulation levels within 3 h after LH-RH alone or in combination with 20-OHP. Administration of LH-RH to oestrogen primed intact females also gave a peak of LH which returned to pre-stimulation levels within 3 h. However, mating seemed to maintain LH levels for a greater period of time.
THE PITUITARY-THYROID AXIS IN KLINEFELTER's SYNDROME
Authors: Smals A. G. H. , Kloppenborg P. W. C. , Lequin R. L. , Beex L. , Ross A. , Benraad T. J.
Published: December 2008

Conventional thyroid function indices (serum T4, T3, TSH and thyroidal RAIU before and after TSH) appeared to be normal in most of 25 clinically euthyroid patients with chromatine positive Klinefelter's syndrome. Administration of TRH, however, revealed a decreased TSH reserve in the Klinefelter patients, both off or on testosterone treatment, in comparison to euthyroidal eugonadal male controls. Preliminary data suggest that this blunted TSH response to TRH is not a characteristic of Klinefelter's syndrome per se but might be caused by the concurrent hypergonadotrophism. Despite the blunted TSH response, the TRH mediated T3 response in the Klinefelter patients was about equal to that in the male controls.
ISOLATED THYROTROPHIN DEFICIENCY IN DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Chandra Manju , Lifshitz Fima , Fort Pavel , de Rosas Francisco J. , Kantrow Abraham
Published: December 2008

Hypothyroidism in patients with diabetes mellitus is usually primary though rarely secondary hypothyroidism has occurred. An 116/12 year old white female developed diabetes mellitus at 86/12 years of age. She received treatment up to 40 units NPH daily with adequate control and normal growth. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed after a 3 month history of lethargy, constipation, dryness of skin and decreasing insulin requirement to 10 units NPH per day. Physical examination was entirely normal, except for dry skin. Serum levels of free thyroxine, thyroxine, T3 resin uptake, were low as was 131I uptake. Primary hypothyroidism was ruled out by the absence of goitre, absent antithyroid antibodies, low basal TSH levels and increased 131I uptake after TSH administration. Serum TSH levels rose 4-fold in response to intravenous TRH administration. The patient was treated with 0.15 mg daily of L-thyroxine with very good response. This report describes a patient with juvenile diabetes mellitus and isolated TSH deficiency with hypothyroidism of probably hypothalamic origin, an association not previously described in children.
YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA INFECTION AND THYROID DISEASES
Authors: Bech Karine , Nerup Jørn , Larsen Jørgen Hannover
Published: December 2008

The frequency of agglutinating antibodies to Yersinia enterocolitica (Y. ent.) serotype 3 and 9 has been studied in sera from patients with various thyroid diseases. No antibodies to Y. ent. serotype 9 were found. Titres (≧ 10) of Y. ent. serotype 3 antibodies were found significantly more frequently in thyroid patients than in controls. In patients with Graves' disease the frequency was 59.5 per cent compared with 16.6 and 27.7 % in the two control groups (P < 0.0005). High titres (≧ 80) were significantly increased in patients with Graves' disease and diffuse nontoxic goitre when compared with the control groups. The prevalence of Y. ent. antibodies decreased with the duration of the disease. In patients with recurrent Graves' disease high titres of Y. ent. antibodies were found in 25 per cent compared with 11 per cent in patients with the first attack of Graves' disease (P < 0.05).

No correlation with age, sex, exophthalmos or the presence of antibodies to thyroid antigens was found. As the O antigen of Y. ent. serotype 3 is specific the detection of these antibodies suggest an infection with Y. ent. and possibly an association between this infection and thyroid disorders, in particular Graves' disease.
UPTAKE OF MACROMOLECULES BY THE THYROID
Authors: Zalin A. M. , Hoffenberg R.
Published: December 2008

The uptake by thyroid tissue of radioactively labelled macromolecules was studied in vitro to elucidate the mechanism of endocytosis of thyroglobulin by the follicular cell. Minced sheep thyroid was incubated with [125I]polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP*), [3H]inulin, [125I]thyroglobulin or [125I]fibrinogen.

Tissue radioactivity comprised a "weakly bound" component, removed by prolonged washing and a residual "firmly bound" component. TSH, 5 mU/ml, increased the magnitude of both these components. The TSH effect on PVP* uptake demonstrated hormone and tissue specificity and was reproduced by dbcAMP. The quantity of PVP* firmly bound rose with time of incubation with a rapid initial uptake followed by a slower "linear" increase. Vinblastine markedly reduced the "linear" rate of uptake of firmly bound radioactivity. The release of non-protein bound 125I into the medium during incubation with [125I]fibrinogen was stimulated by TSH. The rapid initial uptake of firmly bound radioactivity probably represents firm adsorption, the subsequent linear rate endocytosis.