bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of β-blockade therapy on serum thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) concentration
Authors: Wilkinson R. , Kapadi A. L. , Aston E. M. , Ramsden D. B.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Non-specific β-blockade with either propranolol or nadolol was shown not to reduce serum TBG concentration in 20 untreated thyrotoxic patients, but to cause significant reductions in the same subjects once they were rendered euthyroid. Similar reductions were also seen in a group of 10 clinically and biochemically euthyroid subjects, who were under investigation for anxiety or mild angina. Since nadolol does not possess the membrane stabilising properties of propranolol, nor is it metabolized like propranolol, the effect on TBG concentration would appear to be due to β-blockade.
Dynorphin (1–13) effects on thyrotrophin-releasing hormone and thyrotrophin secretion in rats
Authors: Mitsuma Terunori , Nogimori Tsuyoshi
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The effects of dynorphin (1-13) on thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and thyrotrophin (TSH) secretion in rats were studied. Dynorphin (500 μg/kg) was injected iv, and the rats were serially decapitated. TRH and TSH, thyroxine (T4) and 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) were measured by radioimmunoassay.

The hypothalamic immunoreactive TRH did not change significantly after dynorphin injection. Basal plasma TSH levels significantly decreased in a dose-related manner with a nadir at 40 min after dynorphin injection. The effect of dynorphin on TSH release was partially prevented by naloxone. The plasma TSH response to cold was significantly inhibited by dynorphin. The plasma TSH response to TRH did not differ from that of the control. In the l-DOPA or 5-hydrotryptophan-pretreated group, the inhibitory effect of dynorphin on TSH release was prevented, but not in the haloperidolor para-chlorophenylalanine-pretreated group. These drugs alone did not affect plasma TSH levels. The plasma T4 and T3 levels did not change significantly after dynorphin injection.

The findings suggest that dynorphin acts on the hypothalamus by inhibiting TRH release, which may be modified by amines of the central nervous system.
Effects of pectin on glycaemia and insulinaemia after starch loading in normal, alloxan diabetic, and pancreatic duct-occluded rats
Authors: Isaksson Gunnar , Ahrén Bo , Ihse Ingemar , Lundquist Ingmar
Published: December 2008

Abstract. In normal rats, and in rats with reduced intraluminal amylolytic activity, acute administration of low methoxyl pectin with soluble starch via an oro-gastric tube was found to delay starch digestion. In normal rats pectin slightly lowered plasma glucose levels after a starch load. In pancreatic duct-occluded rats, in which intestinal pancreatic digestive enzyme activities are markedly reduced, an increased insulin secretion and a reduced glucose response were seen after starch loading even without the addition of pectin, when compared to normal control rats. In these duct-occluded rats pectin was found to further reduce starch digestion, and markedly suppress plasma glucose levels after a starch load without changing plasma insulin levels. In moderately alloxan diabetic rats, in which intestinal amylase activity also was substantially reduced, pectin reduced the glucose response to starch to a similar extent (about 30%) as in duct-occluded rats without changing the impaired insulin response. The results suggest that pancreatic insufficiency accompanied by reduced intraluminal activities of pancreatic digestive enzyme activities may be associated with a decreased glucose and an increased insulin response to starch loading and that the ability of dietary fibre to reduce postprandial glycaemia may, inter alia, involve an inhibiting action by fibre on starch digestion, especially manifested in conditions of amylolytic insufficiency.
Hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism in an XX female subject due to 17,20 steroid desmolase deficiency
Authors: Larrea Fernando , Lisker Rubén , Bañuelos Rosario , Bermúdez José A. , Herrera Joaquín , Rasilla Vicotr Núñez , Pérez-Palacios Gregorio
Published: December 2008

Abstract. A 22 year old XX female patient with primary amenorrhoea and sexual infantilism was studied. Persistently elevated serum LH and FSH concentrations and exaggerated LRH pituitary responsiveness indicated deficient ovarian hormonal production. Serum levels of C21 and C19 steroids measured by specific radioimmunoassays before and after appropriate stimulations demonstrated an impairment of adrenal and ovarian steroid biosynthesis. Baseline levels of androstenedione (Δ4-A), testosterone (T), and oestradiol-17β (E2) were persistently below the normal range for healthy women at early follicular phase, whereas progesterone (P) and 17α-OH-progesterone (17-OH-P) serum levels were significantly higher than those observed for normal women. Adrenal and gonadal stimulation with ATCH and hCG, respectively, resulted in a considerable rise in serum P and 17-OH-P without any significant change in circulating levels of Δ4-A, T, and E2. These findings were consistent with the diagnosis of 17,20 steroid desmolase deficiency at both adrenal and ovarian levels. This is the first report of a 17,20 desmolase deficiency in an XX individual, and is in line with previous suggestions that familial occurrence of the disorder would fit an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.
Gonadotrophins stimulate lactate production by rat cumulus and granulosa cells
Authors: Billig Håkan , Hedin Lars , Magnusson Claes
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Oocyte-cumulus complexes and mural granulosa cells, respectively, isolated from pre-ovulatory rat follicles and cultured in lactate-free medium showed a continuous accumulation of lactate during a 1 to 7 h incubation. Lactate production was stimulated by gonadotrophins, both when administered in vivo and in vitro, with the exception that LH given in vivo did not affect granulosa cell lactate production. Since the oocyte is known to have specific demands on energy substrate, it is suggested that the lactate produced is important for the growing and maturing oocyte.
Comparison of LH stimulated testosterone release from Mongolian gerbil and mouse whole testes and isolated interstitial cells in vitro: difference in response and sensitivity
Authors: Probst Bodo
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The in vitro steroidogenic response of gerbil and mouse whole testes and isolated testicular interstitial cells to stimulation with gonadotrophic hormones was compared. The testosterone release during incubation in vitro with LH/FSH was measured radioimmunologically. In whole testes incubation, basal testosterone release after 4 h was significantly lower in gerbil as compared to mouse testes, but the testosterone release on maximal LH-stimulation was not significantly different. The increment in the testosterone production from basal to stimulated levels was greater in gerbil, the production per gram testis was greater in mouse testes.

Mechanically dispersed interstitial cell preparations from gerbil and mouse released comparable amounts of testosterone during in vitro incubation. The lowest effective standard-concentration was 1.1 μIU LH/vial in gerbil and 35.9 μIU LH/vial in mouse interstitial cell incubations. Half-maximum testosterone release (ED50) occurred at 8–15 μU LH/vial for gerbil and 86–200 μIU LH/vial (ranges) for mouse interstitial cells.

The difference in sensitivity to LH stimulation of gerbil and mouse interstitial cells is approximately 13-fold, allowing the application of the gerbil interstitial cell assay to studies dealing with very small samples or little bioactive LH-concentrations.
LRF and TRF test during long-term danazol treatment: increase of the LH and FSH responses but decrease of the prolactin and TSH responses
Authors: Leppäluoto J. , Rönnberg L. , Ylöstalo P.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Seven patients suffering from severe endometriosis were treated with danazol 200 mg × 3 daily for 6 months. Clinical symptoms were alleviated and menses disappeared in response to the treatment. After cessation of the treatment the menstrual bleedings returned in 1–3 months. Blood samples for determination of gonadotrophins, prolactin (Prl), oestradiol (E2), progesterone, thyroid hormones and thyrotrophin in radioimmunoassays were taken and a combined TRF and LRF test carried out in the follicular phase before treatment, at the 6th month of treatment and after reappearance of the first menses. There were no statistically significant changes in the basal levels of serum FSH, LH or TSH during the danazol treatment. Neither was there any change in episodic secretions of FSH, LH or Prl, as determined by the mean coefficients of variation of the hormone levels in seven consecutive samples taken at 20 min intervals. On the other hand, serum E2, Prl and thyroid hormone levels were significantly decreased in the 6th month of treatment. In the TRF-LRF test the responses of serum FSH and LH were significantly higher and those of serum Prl and TSH significantly lower during danazol treatment than before. Prl responses remained lowered after the treatment. It appears that low serum oestrogen levels, induced by the danazol treatment, sensitize the pituitary gonadotrophs to exogenous LRF, but make the sensitivity of thyrotrophs and lactotrophs lower to exogenous TRF. These results thus indicate that danazol does not make the pituitary gonadotrophs insensitive to LRF, but danazol may rather inhibit the secretion of hypothalamic LRF.
Heterologous radioimmunoassays for monkey gonadotrophins.
Authors: Khan Shafiq A. , Diczfalusy Egon
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The reliability of the reagents used in heterologous immunoassay procedures for FSH in monkey sera was assessed. Re-investigation of the iodination and purification of the human FSH tracer confirmed the presence of different iodinated molecular species, such as a high molecular weight aggregated material, 'intact' human FSH and subunits. Tracers obtained with the chloramine T procedure were somewhat superior to those obtained by the lactoperoxidase method.

Purification by cellulose adsorption chromatography resulted in partial dissociation of the intact hormone into free subunits, while Sephadex G-25 chromatography did not yield any subunit-like material. Purification by Ultrogel AcA 54 gave the best separation of the 'intact' iodinated FSH.

Binding studies indicated that an anti-ovine FSH (oFSH) serum showed a high degree of binding to 'intact' hFSH, although its binding to subunits and to aggregated material was also significant. The highest degree of binding to this antiserum was shown by the 'intact' tracer iodinated with chloramine T and purified sequentially by Sephadex G-25 and Ultrogel (AcA 54) chromatography.

Using a highly purified hFSH tracer in combination with three antisera (anti-oFSH, H 31; anti-hFSH, WHO, M-93-2; anti-hFSH, NIH, batch No. 5) displacement curves were investigated with three purified monkey FSH preparations. No displacement was observed with a widely available anti-hFSH (WHO, M 93-2) serum. However, linear dose dependent displacement was found with another anti-hFSH (NIH, batch No. 5) serum and with an anti-oFSH (H 31) serum. Comparison of immunoassays with the human and ovine antiserum revealed significant differences in slope, parallelism, precision and effective range. Significant discrepancies in the FSH potency estimates in monkey sera were also observed with the two assay systems. It is suggested that – until a homologous system is developed – the immunoassay employing an hFSH tracer and an anti-oFSH serum should be used for macaque FSH.
Concentration of plasma thyroglobulin and urinary excretion of iodinated material in the diagnosis of thyroid disorders in congenital hypothyroidism
Authors: Gons M. H. , Kok J. H. , Tegelaers W. H. H. , de Vijlder J. J. M.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. In this paper we describe methods for the early aetiological diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism, using beside the classical T4, T3 and TSH plasma concentrations, four additional parameters in plasma and urine. The first one is thyroglobulin (Tg). In normal children of more than one year of age and in adults, 5–35 ng/ml plasma is found, in neonates 2–3 weeks old, this level is 10–250 ng/ml. In patients with a stimulated thyroid gland, as in primary congenital hypothyroidism, plasma Tg levels increase. High Tg values are found in iodine deficiency and in organification defects. In the absence of the thyroid gland plasma Tg is undetectable. Low to normal levels are found in cases with hypoplasia of the gland. In patients with a disturbed synthesis of Tg, resulting in Tg deficiency of the gland, plasma Tg levels vary from undetectable to normal. The PBI-T4 plasma difference, which is caused by circulating abnormal iodoproteins is the second parameter. The products of thyroidal breakdown processes of the abnormal iodoproteins are excreted in the urine and used as the third parameter. We found that the excretion of this low molecular weight iodinated material (LOMWIOM) was increased only in Tg-deficient patients.

If the neonate is found to be hypothyroid, thyroid hormone substitution must be given immediately. Blood and urine sampling can be done just before or even directly after starting the therapy. The measurements extended with the determination of the total iodine excretion (fourth parameter) can be carried out within 1 week. With these additional methods it appeared to be possible to distinguish between several types of congenital hypothyroidism in neonates found by screening.
Inhibition of pancreatic hormone secretion by somatostatin-28 and somatostatin-14 in man
Authors: Klaff L.J. , Barron J. L. , Levitt N. S. , Ling N. , Millar R. P.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The effects of a 210 min infusion of 1.8 nmol/kg somatostatin-14 (SS-14), somatostatin-28 (SS-28), and vehicle (Haemaccel) alone, on arginine- and insulin-stimulated release of pancreatic hormones were tested in 5 normal male subjects. Arginine administered at 30–60 min induced an increase in plasma glucose concentrations which was enhanced by SS-14 and further increased by SS-28. SS-28 was more effective than SS-14 in suppressing the arginine-induced secretion of insulin. Arginine-stimulated and insulin-stimulated (at 120 min) glucagon release was equally suppressed by SS-14 and SS-28, as was insulin-stimulated pancreatic polypeptide secretion. At the end of the SS-14 infusion the mean plasma somatostatin level was approximately 28% of that which occurred during the SS-28 infusion. The results are discussed in relation to similar studies in vitro and in vivo in laboratory animals and to a possible role of the two forms of SS in carbohydrate homeostasis.
Effect of multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA) on the cyclic AMP level and proteoglycan synthesis in cultured chondrocytes
Authors: Tsuji Mitsuko , Kato Yukio , Nomura Yoshio , Kinoshita Masahiko , Kumahara Yuichi , Suzuki Fujio
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA), a somatomedin purified from conditioned medium of Buffalo rat liver cells, had little effect on the intracellular level of cyclic AMP when it markedly enhanced the synthesis of sulphated glycosaminoglycans in rabbit chondrocytes in culture. In addition, MSA did not inhibit prostaglandin E1- or parathyroid hormone-induced accumulation of cyclic AMP in the chondrocytes. On the contrary, MSA slightly decreased stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation by prostaglandin in human fibroblasts. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP and MSA increased the incorporation of [35S]sulphate and [3H]serine into proteoglycans synthesized by rabbit chondrocytes, and their effects were additive. These findings suggest that somatomedin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP enhance sulphate proteoglycan synthesis through different mechanisms. The lack of inhibitory effect of MSA on cyclic AMP accumulation may be favourable for producing additive effects with cyclic AMP on proteoglycan synthesis and DNA synthesis in chondrocytes.
Follow-up of patients with prolactinomas after discontinuation of long-term therapy with bromocriptine
Authors: Zárate Arturo , Canales Elías S. , Cano Carlos , Pilonieta Carlos J.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The effects of bromocriptine discontinuation after a 2 year course of therapy on prolactin (Prl) serum levels and the radiological size of the sella turcica were investigated in 16 women with amenorrhoea-galactorrhoea due to prolactinoma. During therapy, all but 2 patients had normalized serum Prl levels, and 4 women with macroprolactinomas exhibited a reduction in the size of the tumour as documented by CT-scanning and tomography of the sellae. After bromocriptine withdrawal and follow-up during 2 additional years, Prl levels remained normal in 6 patients, 2 of them with microprolactinomas and 4 with macroprolactinoma. The remaining 10 women developed hyperprolactinaemia associated with amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea within 3 months after discontinuation of therapy. No tumour expansion was observed in any case during the 4 year observation period. In the present study bromocriptine treatment seemed to result in permanent cure in 6 out of 16 cases of prolactinomas; nevertheless it is difficult to justify an indefinite medical treatment since the natural history of prolactinoma remains unknown. We presently feel that bromocriptine is more appropriate than neurosurgical transsphenoidal exploration for the primary treatment of prolactinomas. Further investigation is needed before a more definitive conclusion regarding the management of prolactinomas can be reached.
Relationships between serum prolactin levels and follicle stimulating hormone response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone during early puerperium
Authors: Messinis Ioannis E. , Souvatzoglou Athanasios , Vrontakis Maria , Stefos Theodoros , Charitopoulou Rea , Lolis Dimitrios E.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The effect of serum prolactin (Prl) levels on pituitary response to iv luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) (100 μg) was studied in 23 normal puerperal women on day 1 post-partum. All women had an uneventful full-term pregnancy and delivery. The LRH test was repeated in 8 of the women on day 3 and in the remaining 15 on day 6 post-partum. Serum Prl levels were high on days 1 and 3, but decreased significantly on day 6 (P<0.01). No pituitary FSH response to LRH stimulus was found on day 1 post-partum in all 23 women. In those who were given placebo, FSH levels in serum did not change in response to LRH on day 3 (4 women), but increased significantly on day 6 (5 women) in all subjects (P < 0.05). Conversely, when oral metoclopramide was given from day 1 to 6 (10 women) the responsiveness of FSH to LRH on day 6, found in the placebo group, was not observed. Early reduction of serum Prl values on day 3 post-partum by bromocriptine treatment from day 1 to 3 (4 women) did not accelerate the FSH response to LRH. These results suggest an inhibitory effect of elevated serum Prl on the pituitary FSH response to LRH in women during early puerperium.
Increased growth rate following transfer to daily sc administration from three weekly im injections of hGH in growth hormone deficient children
Authors: Kastrup K. W. , Christiansen J. Sandahl , Andersen J. Koch , Ørskov H.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The effect of more frequent (daily) injections of human growth hormone (hGH) on growth rate was studied in 16 growth hormone deficient children (12 boys, 4 girls) during 2 years. All had previously been treated with im injection of hGH 2–3 times weekly and in the majority of the patients a waning growth response was observed.

For a total weekly dose of 12 IU hGH a daily dose of 2 IU was injected sc at night before sleep. This dosage has been shown by us to imitate the average nocturnal hGH profile in plasma.

Growth response on the im treatment was 5.2 ± 1.2 cm/year (sd) in boys and 5.4 ± 0.9 cm/year in girls. A significant increase was seen during the first year of sc treatment to 7.9 ± 2.7 cm in boys and 6.3 ± 2cm in girls. During the second year the growth response was still significantly increased in boys (7.2 ± 1.9 cm). Bone age was more advanced and the period of previous im treatment was longer in girls (6.7 vs 3.6 years) which may be the main cause of the waning second year response (4.7 ±1.3 cm/year). Pubertal development occurred in 9 children during treatment. However, the highest growth rates were not found in these children.

Absence of antibodies against hGH and local reactions at the injection site is evidence of the safety of the treatment, which was very well accepted by the children.

Daily sc injections thus represent an effective alternative to conventional im injections ensuring high acceptance in children with growth hormone deficiency.
Serum propylthiouracil concentration in patients with Graves' disease with various clinical course
Authors: Sato Kanji , Mimura Hisako , Kato Shuichi , Isozaki Osamu , Tsushima Toshio , Shizume Kazuo
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The serum levels of propylthiouracil (PTU) were determined by radioimmunoassay in 10 normal subjects and in 11 patients with Graves' disease after a single 100 or 200 mg oral dose of PTU. The serum half-life of PTU in the normal subjects and in hyperthyroid patients with uneventful clinical course was 75 ± 19 min (mean ± sd, n = 6) and 73 ± 13 min (n = 7), respectively. Maximum serum PTU concentrations were usually attained within 1 h after a single 200 mg oral dose and at 1 h were 5.3 ± 1.4 μg/ml (3.1 ± 0.82 × 10−5 m) in normal subjects (n=6) and 4.8 ± 2.4 μg/ml (2.8 ± 1.4 × 10−5 m) in hyperthyroid patients (n = 7). These betweengroup differences were not significant. Serum PTU concentrations were low in a pregnant hyperthyroid patient with a weak response to PTU treatment. In another patient, who appeared resistant to PTU therapy, the serum PTU level increased as expected at testing, and it was later confirmed that, during treatment, he had not taken the drug as prescribed. In a patient who developed agranulocytosis due to methimazole and subsequently fever due to PTU, the half-life of PTU was prolonged to about 130 min.

These findings suggest that monitoring the serum PTU levels in patients with Graves' disease can be of clinical value in patients who do not respond to treatment. Furthermore, it may provide some clues as to the mechanism by which toxic reaction develops.
Plasma inactive renin in diabetic patients with neuropathy: a role for the sympathetic nervous system in the conversion in vivo of inactive renin
Authors: Nakamaru Mitsuaki , Ogihara Toshio , Higaki Jitsuo , Masuo Kazuko , Ikegami Hiroshi , Shima Kenji , Kumahara Yuichi
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Plasma levels of active and trypsin-activatable inactive renin and catecholamines were measured in 6 diabetic patients with neuropathy (group 1), 8 diabetic patients without neuropathy (group 2) and 8 agematched normal subjects. The effect of insulin administration on plasma active and inactive renin and plasma catecholamine levels in diabetic patients was also investigated. The levels of inactive renin were calculated as the difference between the levels of total renin after trypsin activation and those of active renin. The levels of plasma catecholamines were determined by the trihydroxyindole method. The levels of active renin were significantly lower and inactive renin was increased slightly in group 1 when compared with controls. Group 1 showed a significant reduction in plasma norepinephrine levels. Group 2 showed slightly reduced active renin, normal inactive renin and normal norepinephrine values. There was no significant difference in the levels of epinephrine between the 3 groups. After insulin injection, active renin levels were increased in groups 1 and 2. The mean increment in active renin levels was less in group 1 than in group 2. Inactive renin levels were slightly decreased in both groups. Significant increases in epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were observed following insulin administraion. The mean increment in norepinephrine levels was less in group 1 than in group 2. There was a positive correlation between the mean increment in active renin and in norepinephrine levels in diabetic patients. These results suggest that the impaired conversion of inactive renin into an active form is responsible in part for the low levels of active renin in diabetics with neuropathy.
Effect of cyproterone acetate on glucocorticoid secretion in patients treated for hirsutism
Authors: Holdaway I. M. , Croxson M. S. , Evans M. C. , France J. , Sheehan A. , Wilson T. , Ibbertson H. K.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The effect of cyproterone acetate (CA) on adrenal glucocorticoid secretion was studied in 35 women with hirsutism. Patients were treated for 9 months with 100 mg CA orally 10 days each month, administered in reverse sequence with 21 days of a combination oral contraceptive containing 50 μg ethinyloestradiol and 2 mg CA. During treatment one patient had a mildly impaired plasma cortisol response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and 2 patients showed slight reduction of the plasma cortisol response to ACTH. Responses to metyrapone were normal in all patients tested. Overall, the mean response to these tests was significantly greater during CA treatment compared with pre-treatment measurements, probably due to effects of oestrogen on cortisol-binding globulin. In all patients urinary cortisol excretion remained normal and no patient demonstrated any features of steroid insufficiency. Thus it appears that CA has no untoward effect upon glucocorticoid secretion when given in high dosage for prolonged periods to hirsute women.
Endocrinological and histological changes induced by flutamide treatment on the hypothalamo-hypophyseal testicular axis of the adult male rat and their incidences on fertility
Authors: Viguier-Martinez M. C. , Hochereau de Reviers M. T. , Barenton B. , Perreau C.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with flutamide from 90 to 105 days of age. In a first experiment, testis and accessory sex organs were weighed. In the same animals, hypothalamic LRH content, pituitary gonadotrophin concentrations, plasma LH, FSH, prolactin and testosterone levels, and testicular gonadotrophin receptors were evaluated. In a second experiment, fertility was tested at the end of the treatment, and histology of the testis was performed. All the results were compared to those obtained in control animals of the same age. Accessory glands of genital tract were significantly lower in flutamide-treated animals (P < 0.01). Hypothalamic LRH, pituitary and plasma FSH, and prolactin concentrations were unchanged, while pituitary and plasma LH level and especially plasma testosterone concentration were increased (P < 0.001).

Flutamide therefore exerted a strong inhibition on testosterone-dependent organs, and blocked the negative feedback of testosterone on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis, increasing the LH levels. Testis weight, intertubular tissue volume, total number and total volume of Leydig cells/testis, as well as total length and diameter of seminiferous tubules were unchanged in flutamide treated rats. However number of LH receptors/Leydig cell, nuclear area of Sertoli cells, number of FSH receptors/Sertoli cell, number of leptotene spermatocytes and of round spermatids per cross section, and yield of spermatogonial divisions were decreased after treatment. Flutamide treatment also decreased fertility by 48% (P < 0.05). This lowered fertility is likely the result of impaired spermatogenesis and/or a dysfunction of accessory sex organs.
Mechanism of serotonin effects on prolactin and growth hormone secretion in domestic fowl
Authors: Hall T. R. , Harvey S. , Chadwick A.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Brain serotonin levels were increased in immature chickens by ip injection of pargyline (75 mg/kg) and clorgyline (5 mg/kg) and by l-tryptophan (100 mg/kg) and imipramine (10 mg/kg) treatment. These treatments increased the circulating prolactin level and reduced the concentration of plasma growth hormone (GH). Treatment with para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 100 mg/kg) reduced the brain serotonin content and the level of plasma prolactin. Treatment with these drugs in vivo similarly affected the basal level of prolactin release from pituitary glands in vitro, although it did not affect the basal level of GH release. The in vitro responsiveness of the pituitary gland to hypothalamic stimuli eliciting prolactin secretion was increased by in vivo pargyline and combined tryptophan: imipramine treatment but reduced by PCPA administration. The in vitro GH response to hypothalamic stimulation was reduced after the in vivo injection of pargyline, clorgyline and tryptophan: imipramine. The hypothalami from clorgyline and tryptophan: imipramine treated birds induced a greater stimulation of in vitro prolactin secretion from control pituitary glands than hypothalami from controls birds, whereas the GH releasing activity was reduced. These results suggest that serotonin stimulates prolactin secretion in chickens by increasing pituitary responsiveness to hypothalamic releasing factors and by increasing the prolactin releasing activity of the hypothalamus. Serotonin appears to suppress GH secretion by reducing pituitary sensitivity to releasing factors and by reducing hypothalamic GH releasing activity.
The effects of hypothalamic extracts and TRH on the growth and hormone production of GH3 cells in culture
Authors: Yajima Yukiko , Saito Toshikazu
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Hypothalamic factors were tested for their effects on the production of hormones and the growth of GH3 cells, cloned rat pituitary cells producing prolactin (Prl) and growth hormone (GH). Hypothalamic extracts (HE) (0.05 mg/ml) and TRH (0.3 μm) stimulated the synthesis of Prl to levels of 306% and 360%, respectively, of the control culture in a medium containing 0.5% foetal bovine serum (FBS) during a 24 h incubation. They did not affect the rate of GH production. The thymidine uptake was suppressed to 57% and 46% of the control by the addition of HE and TRH, respectively. They also inhibited the growth of GH3 to 70% and 74% of the control culture during an 8-day incubation period. On the other hand, LRH affected neither the rate of hormone production nor the thymidine uptake. Somatostatin suppressed the synthesis of Prl and GH, but it did not affect the incorporation of thymidine into the cells.

The gel filtration studies of HE revealed that the inhibitory effects of HE on the thymidine uptake were dependent on two substances, TRH and an unknown factor(s) of high molecular nature. The relationship between hormone synthesis and DNA synthesis will be discussed on the basis of the TRH-induced effects on Prl production and DNA synthesis in GH3 cells.
Age- and sex-related differences of serum thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) in healthy subjects
Authors: Kojima Noriko , Sakata Shigeki , Nakamura Shigenori , Kamikubo Keita , Okuyama Makio , Miura Kiyoshi
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Serum concentrations of thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) were measured in healthy adult subjects aged 20–79 years (152 males and 148 females) by radioimmunoassay.

In contrast to previous reports, there were no significant age-related differences in either sex. Significant sexrelated differences were observed only in the fourth decade, being higher in females than males (P < 0.01).
Influence of antiganglioside antibodies on thyrotrophin binding and adenyl cyclase activity of thyroid plasma membranes
Authors: Gardas Andrzej , Adler Grażyna , Lewartowska Aleksandra , Faryna Marta , Nauman Janusz
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Antibovine thyroid ganglioside antibodies developed in rabbits inhibit thyrotrophin binding to human thyroid plasma membranes. These antibodies are specific for gangliosides as was shown by the liposome agglutination technique. Antiganglioside antibodies did not stimulate basal adenyl cyclase activity in bovine thyroid plasma membranes, but most antiganglioside antibodies inhibit the activity of thyrotrophin stimulated adenyl cyclase. Antiganglioside antibodies react well with bovine thyroid plasma membranes and have considerable cross-reactivity with porcine and human thyroid plasma membranes. Rabbits which develop antiganglioside antibodies after some time have detectable levels of autoantithyroglobulin antibodies in their serum although the preparation used for imminisation did not contain any thyroglobulin or protein material.
Effects of l-thyroxine treatment on pituitary GH content of adult rats with neonatal thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Pascual-Leone A. M. , Besa E. , Hervás F. , Escrivá F. , Alvarez C.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Rats receiving large doses of thyroxine (30 μg/5 doses) during their first days of life develop an apparently permanent alteration of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid complex. This neonatal thyrotoxicosis has been called neo-T4 syndrome. A state of permanent but not very severe hypothyroidism seems to be induced, accompanied by a decrease in pituitary GH content at least until day 22. In this work, growth hormone content has been measured by a specific radioimmunoassay in the anterior pituitary of 45 and 78 day old neo-T4 and control (saline-injected) rats. GH content of the adult neo-T4 treated animals was significantly lower than that of the adult controls. Administration of different doses of T4 (1.7 μg/100 g body weight/3 doses or 2.5 μg/100 g body weight/8 doses, to 70 day old rats, and 5 μg/100 g body weight/3 doses to 42 day old rats) to adult neo-T4 rats did not alter these decreased pituitary GH levels. This differs from hypothyroid rats, in which T4 administration has been shown to increase pituitary GH content. A third approach was to thyroidectomize neo-T4 and control rats and administer 5 μg T4/100 g body weight, which produced the same increase in pituitary GH in both groups of animals. These results seem to indicate that changes in pituitary GH content of neo-T4 rats are not due to hypothyroidism. Thus, it would appear that treatment with large T4 doses during the early perinatal period not only deranges the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis but other pituitary functions as well.
Oestradiol synthesis by granulosa cells from immature rats treated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin
Authors: Johnson Donald C. , Hoversland Roger C.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Granulosa cells harvested from follicles in hypophysectomized or intact immature rats treated with 20 IU of pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMS) produced immunoreactive oestradiol (E2) when incubated in Krebs Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing an NADPH generating system; inclusion of steroid substrates in the medium increased the rate of synthesis. Further, tritiated E2 was synthesized when labelled progesterone was used as substrate. Granulosa cells removed from pre-ovulatory follicles on the morning of prooestrus in adult females also produced E2 in vitro. Although E2 synthesis was apparent by cells from immature hypophysectomized rats within 12 h of PMS treatment, it inceased greatly with longer in vivo exposure to the gonadotrophin. Production was linear with the number of cells incubated and with time, at least through the first 30 min; the production rate decreased slightly with longer incubations. Exposure of the cells in vivo to hCG or ovine LH, before incubation, destroyed most of their ability to synthesize E2 even if progesterone or pregnenolone was added to the medium, but conversion of testosterone to E2 was reduced by only about 50%. Inhibitors of steroid synthesis, i.e. 4-OH-androstenedione, SU-10603, cyanoketone, or aminoglutethimide, greatly reduced the amount of E2 synthesized by the cells. The results indicate that granulosa cells exposed in vivo to gonadotrophins can synthesize E2 without the addition of androgenic substrate provided that cofactors are supplied. This finding has important implications for the current 'two cell' theory for oestrogen production by the ovary. A deficiency in steroidogenic enzymes within the granulosa cell appears to be an inadequate basis for the theory. However, the total synthesis of E2 in vivo by granulosa cells has not been shown.
Acute effects of growth hormone administration: vitamin A and visceral protein concentrations
Authors: Kemp Stephen F. , Canfield Michael E.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. We determined albumin, total protein, somatomedin C, retinol binding protein (RBP), transferrin, prealbumin, and complement (C3) concentrations in serum, and vitamin A concentrations in plasma before initiation of growth hormone (GH) therapy and 13 h after each of 4 daily injections of GH (0.1 U/kg) in 6 GH deficient children. Levels of total protein, albumin, and transferrin did not change during the first week of GH administration, however, transferrin levels rose after 6 weeks of GH therapy. Initial somatomedin C levels were below the normal range (0.19 ± 0.03 U/ml), and rose with GH administration in 4 of the 6 subjects, resulting in a post-treatment mean of 0.56 ± 0.23 U/ml. With GH administration vitamin A and RBP concentrations decreased from initial values (P < 0.05), and reached a plateau after 2 injections of GH, while there was no change in concentrations of other proteins. There was a significant linear correlation (P < 0.05) between the levels of vitamin A and RBP before and after GH administration. We conclude that GH administration results in a selective and marked reduction in the concentrations of plasma vitamin A and serum RBP.
Starvation induced anoestrus: effect of chronic food restriction on body weight, its influence on oestrous cycle and gonadotrophin secretion in rats
Authors: Knuth U. A. , Friesen H. G.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. To test the effect of chronic starvartion on gonadotrophin secretion and oestrous cycles, rats were fed 50% of their normal chow consumption for 16 days. This caused an increasing rate of anoestrus which became significant during the third expected cycle (6 of 10 rats, P < 0.02) and increased to 8 of 10 rats (P < 0.0001) between day 12 and 16. The accompanying weight loss was around 13 and 17%, respectively. Pituitary weights in intact rats killed on dioestrus became significantly different after 8 days of chow reduction (12.8 ± 0.2 vs 11.3 ±0.4 mg, P < 0.02) with further reductions in groups killed after 12 and 16 days. At this time dioestrous serum FSH levels were significantly inceased in starved rats (112 ± 16 vs 161 ± 13 ng/ml, P < 0.01), while serum LH levels decreased significantly after 12 days (25.0 ± 3.4 vs 13.1 ± 8.8 ng/ml, P < 0.001). Starvation decreased the LH response to LRH administration compared to pro-oestrous controls (1934 ± 672 vs 289 ± 39 ng/ml, P < 0.05), whereas the FSH response was not impaired (457 ± 91 vs 336 ± 54 ng/ml, P > 0.05). In contrast to this pituitary content of LH was similar in both groups, while FSH content was significantly higher in starved animals (13.6 ± 1.7 vs 19.8 ± 1.2 μg, P < 0.01). Chronic starvation immediately after ovariectomy did not affect the post-castrational rise of gonadotrophins. However, LRH administration caused higher serum FSH levels in starved rats (1540 ± 91 vs 1833 ± 90 ng/ml, P < 0.05), whereas LH values did not differ (908 ± 192 vs 721 ± 153 ng/ml, P> 0.05). Gonadotrophin content per pituitary in castrated rats after 16 days of starvation was unchanged.
Spontaneous remission of cranial diabetes insipidus due to concomitant development of ADH-producing lung cancer – an autopsied case
Authors: Takeda R. , Hiraiwa Y. , Hayashi T. , Yasuhara S. , Yanase E. , Sakato T. , Nakabayashi H. , Takegoshi T. , Nishino T. , Tanino M. , Yamaji T.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The very rare occurrence of an ADH-producing small cell carcinoma of the lung in a 52 year old male patient with cranial diabetes insipidus since childhood is described. In this case diabetes insipidus disappeared concomitantly with development of lung cancer and re-appeared with shrinkage of the lung tumour by radiation therapy. Further progressive expansion of the primary and metastatic tumours induced the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion once again (SIADH). This deterioration in the clinical course was reflected in the plasma levels of ADH and neurophysins. The existence of vasopressin in the tumour tissue was also demonstrated by means of an immunohistochemical staining technique combined with anti-vasopressin serum.
Characteristics of auto-antibodies to bovine TSH in the serum of two patients with Graves' disease
Authors: Kajita Yoshihiro , Nakajima Yoshiyuki , Ishida Masao , Ochi Yukio , Miyazaki Tadayoshi , Hachiya Takashi , Ijichi Hamao
Published: December 2008

Abstract. In this report we describe the characteristics of auto-antibodies to bovine TSH (bTSH) detected in the serum of 2 females among 102 patients with Graves' disease. These patients had never been injected with bTSH. One patient had high LATS activity and high bTSH binding activity after isotope therapy. The other patient showed no detectable LATS activity. Interestingly, the antibody showed a specifically high binding activity for the labelled TSH preparation purified by receptor. The auto-antibody could be demonstrated by the double antibody method, polyethylene glycol method, and by gel-filtration. The antibody was polyclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG). Because the binding of [125I]bTSH with the patient's antibody was inhibited by pituitary extracts from mammalian species other than human, this antibody may cross-react with bovine, rat, dog, rabbit and whale TSH.

Although the incidence of the antibody in Graves' disease is low and the pathological significance remains obscure, the existence of this antibody in the serum of patients may suggest that autoimmune mechanisms may involve not only the thyroid but also the pituitary in Graves' disease.
An investigation of the optimum culture conditions for a differentiated culture of sheep thyroid cells
Authors: Murphy Ann , Mothersill Carmel , O'Connor M. K. , Malone J. F. , Cullen M. J. , Taaffe J. K.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Primary cultures of differentiated sheep thyroid were investigated to assess the effect of varying the media, sera, hormones and the initial cell number plated on the culture life span. Iodide uptake and follicular morphology were used as indices of differentiation.

It was found that the effect of variations in the type of medium and the concentration and type of serum used was very small. The addition of all the hormones used – insulin, hydrocortisone and thyrotrophic hormone – had a synergistic effect on the iodide trapping ability of the culture system. A cell number of approximately 1 × 106 cells per 25 cm2 flask was found to be optimum for the development of differentiation in the cultures.
Changes in plasma calcium and in radiocalcium kinetics after termination of 5-week infusions of synthetic parathyroid peptide in dogs
Authors: Stevenson R. W. , Parsons J. A. , Podbesek R. D. , Reeve J.
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Nine dogs were infused at constant rates with the synthetic parathyroid peptide hPTH 1-34 (initially sc) to produce consistent hypercalcaemia. Over the final week, the infusions were iv. Radioisotopic tracers were injected iv 30 days (5 dogs) and 2 days (9 dogs) before the infusions were suddenly terminated. In 5 dogs, complete urine collections were obtained via a bladder catheter over 8 h beginning 2 h before stopping the infusions. Cessation of treatment caused small rises in the urinary Ca: creatinine ratio. Plasma calcium levels fell by a mean of 0.44 mmol/l, of which total urine calcium excretion only accounted for 55%. Immediately after the PTH infusions were stopped, consistent but transient increases were seen in the ratio of 'new' 47Ca to 'old' 45Ca label, suggesting inflow of 40Ca of high 47Ca specific activity from a fairly rapidly exchangeable bone pool. These data confirm and extend previous evidence that the immediate response of the calcium equilibrium between bone and bloodstream to rapid changes in plasma PTH concentrations in the supra-physiological range is paradoxical relative to the classical later response.
Selective alterations in hepatic nuclear T3-receptors and enzyme responses by glucocorticoid deficit or excess
Authors: Recúpero Alfredo R. , Coleoni Aldo H. , Cherubini Olga , Oviedo Adriana
Published: December 2008

Abstract. Glucocorticoid deficit in rats induced by adrenalectomy for a 10-day period resulted in an increase in the apparent association constant (Ka) of the liver nuclear T3-receptor while maximal binding capacity (MBC) remained unaltered compared to the intact (sham-operated) animals and to adrenalectomy plus dexamethasone (Sx + D) animals. In addition, a significant increase in the basal activity of liver mitochondrial α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (α-GPD) was observed, while cytosolic malic enzyme (ME) activity was not modified in this situation. Dexamethasone injection (5 mg/kg/day for 4–5 days) to previously adrenalectomized animals (Sx + D) induced a significant increase in MBC of nuclear T3-receptors. On the other hand, Ka value and α-GPD activity were restored to the values found in the control group. However, basal activity of ME as well as the response of this enzyme to a saturating dose of T3 was substantially increased by dexamethasone treatment.

A non-specific in vitro effect of dexamethasone on MBC and ME was excluded as these parameters were not modified when dexamethasone was added immediately before the in vitro assays. The present study indicates that glucocorticoid deficit or excess is able to induce changes at the level of the nuclear T3-receptor site. The increase in the activity of cytolic ME induced by dexamethasone injection was associated with a simultaneous
Calmodulin dependency of calcitonin action on glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphorylase a activites in the liver of rats
Authors: Yamaguchi Masayoshi , Momose Kaoru
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The calmodulin dependency of calcitonin (CT) action on glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphyrylase a activities in the liver of rats was investigated. A single sc administration of CT (synthetic [A1,7] eel CT; 80 MRC mU/100 g body weight) produced significant increases in calcium content and glucose-6-phosphatase activity in the hepatic microsomes of intact and thyroparathyroidectomized rats. These increases in enzyme activity were significantly inhibited by W-7 (100 μm), with a concentration which showed maximal effect. However, this inhibition was less than 50% of the enzyme activity increased by CT administration. Meanwhile, CT produced significant increases in calcium content and phosphorylase a activity in the hepatic glycogen particles from intact rats. However, this increase in enzyme activity was not influenced significantly by W-7 (100 μm), suggesting that the calcium ion may directly activate the enzyme. These results suggest that the increase in microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase activity of rat liver mediated by cellular calcium following CT administration may partly depend on calmodulin.
Hypercalcaemia induced by increased thyroxine substitution in a patient treated with dihydrotachysterol
Authors: Hallengren Bengt , Spjuth Jan , Dymling John-Fredrik
Published: December 2008

Abstract. The metabolism of vitamin D is essential in the control of bone and mineral metabolism. Hyperthyroidism as well as hypothyroidism effect the metabolism of bone tissue and vitamin D. We present a dihydrotachysterol-calcium treated patient with post-operative hypothyroidism, who developed hypercalcaemia, when the thyroxine dosage was increased.