bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IS COBALT CONCENTRATED IN PANCREATIC ISLET TISSUE?
Authors: Falkmer Sture , Knutson Folke
Published: December 2008

Radioactive (58Co) cobaltous chloride with stable cobaltous chloride as a carrier, was administered to the marine teleost Cottus scorpius as a single intramuscular injection. The radioactivity of various tissues was measured from 3 h to 10 d after the injections in a scintillation spectrometer. The unique anatomical features of Cottus scorpius – its pancreatic islet tissue is concentrated into two grossly visible structures free from admixture of exocrine pancreatic parenchyma – allow of quantitative determination of the total uptake of radiocobalt in islet tissue and comparison with that of other tissues. This is not possible in mammals. It was found that the isolated islet tissue had approximately the same high ability as the liver to concentrate cobalt at all observation periods after 3 h.

Autoradiograms, however, showed only a slight uptake of radiocobalt in the islet tissue. This finding is interpreted as indicating that most of the accumulated cobalt existed in a free soluble form or bound to substances which were dissolved during conventional fixation and embedding procedures preceding autoradiography.
DIE AUSSCHEIDUNG DER 17-HYDROXY-20-OXO-20-METHYL-STEROIDE (21-DESOXYKETOLE) BEI GESUNDEN FRAUEN UND BEI FRAUEN MIT ANDROGENEN VERÄNDERUNGEN
Authors: Zander Josef , Schröder Günter , Walter Beowulf , Borth Rudi
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion of 17-hydroxy-20-oxo-20-methyl-steroids (21-deoxy-ketols) was estimated in various clinical conditions, using the method of Appleby & Norymberski. The following results were obtained:

In healthy women, the excretion rate varies with age. Before puberty, the mean values are below 100 μg/d; they rise to 300 μg/d at 30 years, then they fall again to less than 100 μg/d at the menopause. The limits of normal variation between women of the same age are 60 and 180% of the mean excretion rate (fiducial limits calculated for P = 0.05).

In congenital adrenocortical hyperplasia, the excretion is markedly higher than normal. During treatment with 100 mg of cortisone daily, the levels decrease within four days to less than 200 μg/d.

The excretion is within the normal range – (a) in women with hirsutism and normal or slightly increased 17-ketosteroid excretion, associated or not with menstrual disorders, and (b) in cases of the Stein-Leventhal syndrome.

In metabolic experiments with 17α-hydroxy-progesterone (50 to 100 mg injected intramuscularly during the menstrual cycle or after the menopause), 2.0–3.5% of the administered amount are recovered as urinary 21-deoxy-ketols.

In practical importance, the method is similar to the estimation of pregnanetriol. The technique is described in detail. Its reliability is satisfactory, and it helps to simplify considerably the routine operation of steroid assays.
EFFECT OF VARIOUS HORMONES UPON THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RAT TO DOCA IMPLANTATION
Authors: Girerd R. J. , Rassaert C. L.
Published: December 2008

In the DOCA implanted hypophysectomized rat sensitized by means of unilateral nephrectomy and increased dietary NaCl, the chronic parenteral administration of pituitary extracts, either alone or combined with other hormones, was able to induce a blood pressure elevation comparable to that observed in non-hypophysectomized DOCA-implanted sensitized rats. The DOCA induced polydipsia was increased by hypophysectomy and also by ACTH treatment; vasopressin administration markedly reduced the polydipsia. The severe renal and cardiac microscopic pathological changes usually caused by DOCA were not found in any of the hypophysectomized rats. However, in most of the experimental groups treated with pituitary extracts, macroscopic changes in the structure of the kidney, heart and mesenteric arteries were evident; triiodothyronine appeared to have a preventive effect on these. Therefore, the angiotoxic effects of DOCA seem to be much more pituitary dependent than its hypertensive action since, after hypophysectomy, pituitary extracts can easily restore the hypertension but are incapable of inducing the characteristic vascular lesions observed in the controls.
INHIBITION OF OXYTOCIN-INDUCED LABOUR IN RABBITS WITH VARIOUS GESTAGENS
Authors: Fuchs Fritz , Koch Finn
Published: December 2008

Progesterone, 17α-methyl-19-nortestosterone, allylestrenol, 6α-methyl-17α-acetoxyprogesterone, and 6-dehydro-retroprogesterone were given parenterally as oily solutions to pregnant rabbits at various periods of time before induction of labour with oxytocin, 30 days + 6 hours after conception. In the inhibition of induced labour, 6α-methyl-17α-acetoxyprogesterone was found to be between 10 and 100 times as active as progesterone, 6-dehydro-retroprogesterone was almost as active as progesterone, while 17α-methyl-19-nortestosterone and allylestrenol were ineffective in the doses given. When allylestrenol was given during the last few days before term to prolong gestation, it was found less effective than progesterone and much less effective than 6α-methyl-17α-acetoxyprogesterone.
AZEPINAMIDE THERAPY IN DIABETES
Authors: Wood Francis C. , Stimson William H. , Williams Robert H.
Published: December 2008

Clinical trials in 37 patients of azepinamide, a new sulfonylurea, are reported. This drug has a plasma half-life of 14 hours, intermediate between tolbutamide and chlorpropamide. There was no significant toxicity noted. This drug's ability to control blood glucose was similar to that of tolbutamide and chlorpropamide. Although no definite advantage of azepinamide over the presently available sulfonylureas could be established, theoretical considerations favour the intermediate half-life, long enough for one dose daily, yet short enough to prevent excessive accumulation of active drug. Many years of study of this and other sulfonylureas will be needed to ascertain their true value in the therapy of diabetes mellitus.
GROWTH INHIBITION OF SARCOMA 180 BY HORMONE ANTISERA AND 5-FLUOROURACIL
Authors: Anigstein Ludwik , Anigstein Dorothy M. , Rennels Edward G.
Published: December 2008

Somatotrophic hormone antisera (STHAS) were prepared by the immunization of rabbits with purified bovine or human STH. The capacity of these antiserum preparations to inhibit the growth of experimental animal tumours was tested by giving daily injections to young Swiss mice bearing implants of Sarcoma 180. A significant inhibitory action of both bovine and human STHAS on the growth of Sarcoma 180 tumours was shown. This inhibitory effect was more marked in mice which had been inoculated at birth with the antiserum which was later injected during the period of tumour growth. The use of somatotrophic hormone antiserum treatment in combination with 5-fluorouracil proved to be somewhat more effective than the 5-FU alone. It was concluded that somatotrophic hormone antiserum offers promise as a tumour inhibitory agent and as adjuvant in carcino-therapy.
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF DECIDUALIZATION: IV
Authors: Shelesnyak M. C. , Tic Liliane
Published: December 2008

Observations were made on the wet weight and the content and concentration of protein, DNA and RNA of the uteri of normal rats during their oestrous cycle and during pseudopregnancy. These studies served as controls to the analysis of synthetic components of the uterus during decidualization induced by systemic means without surgical intervention or trauma of the uterus. Decidualization is characterized by an exponential increase of protein, RNA, DNA content of the uterus. The wet weight of the uterus and the content of protein, DNA and RNA were found to be high during prooestrus and during days 4 and 5 of leucocyte phase of pseudopregnancy. This increase of activity during the 4th and 5th day of pseudopregnancy is consistent with other evidence of oestrogen surge as a prerequisite for decidualization.
EFFECT OF RABBIT ANTISERUM TO SHEEP PITUITARY INTERSTITIAL-CELL STIMULATING HORMONE IN ADULT FEMALE RATS
Authors: Bourdel Geneviève , Li Choh Hao
Published: December 2008

Rabbit antiserum to sheep pituitary interstitial-cell stimulating hormone was shown to counteract the endogenous interstitial-cell stimulating hormone of adult female rats. The occurrence of oestrus was prevented when the antiserum was injected 36 hours before the expected time of ovulation. The treatment had also a striking effect on the ovary, uterus and vagina, as evidenced by histological examinations.
THE PROBLEM OF SPECIFICITY IN SEROLOGIC DETERMINATION OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN
Authors: Brody Sam , Carlström Gun
Published: December 2008

Rabbit antisera, prepared against a commercial, highly purified preparation of human chorionic gonadotrophin, have been examined with regard to their serologic specificity. Analyses were carried out using procedures of immunodiffusion and complement fixation. Heterogeneity of the immune system is confirmed, and the distribution and serological relationship of unspecific antigens in urine and serum examined. The effect of various methods on the elimination of unspecific antibodies is shown. The implications of these findings on the immunoassay of human chorionic gonadotrophin in body fluids are discussed.
ÉTUDE DE L'ACTIVITÉ BIOLOGIQUE IN VITRO DES HORMONES GONADOTROPES
Authors: Gospodarowicz D. , Legault-Démare J.
Published: December 2008

Temperature has been shown to have a profound effect on the incorporation of 14C acetate into steroids by rat corpus luteum in vitro. The variations of temperature affected to a different extent the labelling of progesterone and androstenedione.

Differences were also found between cyclic and pseudopregnancy corpora lutea studied at different temperatures and stimulated or not by pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMS) in vitro.

These results are consistent with the hypothesis that progesterone and androstenedione are synthesized through different pathways. They also suggest that lactogenic hormone stimulates specifically the synthesis of androstenedione.
URINARY EXCRETION OF OESTRONE IN THE SOW AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF OESTRADIOL-17β
Authors: Lunaas Torleiv
Published: December 2008

Oestradiol-17β was administered intramuscularly in the sow and a major urinary metabolite identified as oestrone. As determined by the method of Brown (1955) urinary excretion of oestradiol remained low as compared to the excretion of oestrone.

The implication of this finding as to the excretion of oestrone normally found in the sow under physiological conditions is discussed.
DIE AUSSCHEIDUNG VON ALDOSTERON, NATRIUM UND KALIUM NACH FORTLAUFENDER HOHER PROGESTERONGABE
Authors: Stark G. , Kossmann H.
Published: December 2008

To clarify the role played by the increased production of progesterone in the increased excretion of aldosterone in pregnancy, the following experiment was undertaken:

During a period ranging from 6–10 days, nine women after a 2–3 day pre-test period, received daily injections of 100–200 mg of progesterone intravenously. During the test, in which the patients' NaCl intake was kept constant at 1–8 g per day, the aldosterone, sodium and potassium excretion was determined.

From the third to the seventh day after progesterone administration, the aldosterone excretion was abnormally high (11–14 μg per day) in only three instances. The remaining cases examined were unchanged.

In only a few cases after progesterone was a sodium diuresis observed. The results obtained are discussed.
STOFFWECHSEL VON 16-OXO-1 7β-ÖSTRADIOL BEIM MENSCHEN
Authors: Beling C. G. , Breuer J. A. , Breuer H.
Published: December 2008

Oestriol and 16-epi-oestriol were isolated from urine after intramuscular injection of 16-oxo-17β-oestradiol. When 10 mg of 16-oxo-17β-oestradiol was administered to two normal men, the total excretion in urine amounted to 2.45 mg and 1.25 mg oestriol respectively, and to 0.33 mg and 0.36 mg 16-epi-oestriol respectively. From these results it is concluded that the metabolic reduction of 16-oxo-17β-oestradiol yields more oestriol than 16-epi-oestriol.
FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR AN OVARIAN SOURCE OF URINARY PREGNANETRIOL
Authors: Burger H. G. , Sommerville I. F.
Published: December 2008

Urinary steroid excretion and vaginal cytology were studied in a 31-year old adrenalectomised female during and after the administration of human pituitary gonadotrophin (with predominantly F.S.H. activity), and corticotrophin.

A significant increase (to about 4 times the basal values) in the daily output of 17β-oestradiol, oestrone, oestriol, pregnanediol and pregnanetriol was observed with gonadotrophin injection and a withdrawal bleeding occurred four days after the end of the ovarian stimulation.

These observations are added proof of the existence of an ovarian precursor for pregnanetriol (5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol).
A MODIFIED METHOD FOR THE QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF PROGESTERONE IN HUMAN PLASMA
Authors: Sommerville Ian F. , Pickett Mary T. , Collins William P. , Denyer Diane C.
Published: December 2008

A more sensitive and less complicated chemical method has been evolved for the quantitative determination of progesterone in 5–10 ml samples of human plasma. The method is suitable for application to peripheral blood levels at all stages of pregnancy and may be applied to the study of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The sensitivity, accuracy, precision and specificity of the method are discussed.
THE EFFECTS OF SEX STEROIDS ON THE PROLACTIN CONTENT OF HYPOPHYSES AND SERUM IN RATS
Authors: Wolthuis O. L.
Published: December 2008

Prolactin determinations have been carried out on the hypophyses and serum of rats. It was found that:

Hypophyses of intact mature female rats contain almost twice as much prolactin as those of mature female rats spayed two months previously. The pituitary prolactin content in these spayed female rats is virtually identical with that of intact or castrated mature male rats.

Treatment of intact mature female rats with oestradiol benzoate (50 μg daily for one week) considerably increases the prolactin content in the hypophyses and serum.

Treatment of spayed mature female rats with sex steroids for two weeks shows that:

oestradiol benzoate (50 μg daily) increases the prolactin content in the hypophyses and serum;

testosterone propionate (2 mg daily) also increases the prolactin content in the hypophyses and serum, although the increases found were smaller than those obtained with the above-mentioned dose of oestradiol;

progesterone (5 mg daily) did not significantly alter the pituitary prolactin content, whereas a highly suggestive increase was found in the serum content.

From the results it was concluded that:

Physiological amounts of androgens do not affect the prolactin function of the hypophysis, whereas physiological amounts of oestrogens do affect it.

All three sex steroids investigated increase prolactin production in and secretion from the hypophysis. A negative feedback seems to be absent.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE CATABOLISM OF ANDROGENS IN NORMAL AND HIRSUTE WOMEN
Authors: Pesonen S.
Published: December 2008

The results of 123 fractionation analyses of 17-ketosteroids are presented. The control series consisted of 16 healthy women in the fertile age and 14 women with amenorrhoea without hirsutism. The results of analysis in these two control series were compared with the results in a series of 60 patients with amenorrhoea and hirsutism. Corticotrophin and choriongonadotrophin tolerance tests were performed on some of the patients.

A statistically significant increase of the dehydroepiandrosterone excretion was evident only in cases of adrenal dysfunction. Increased DHA excretion is due to a deficiency of 3β-hydroxy-dehydrogenase or to a disturbed enzyme function. Hirsutism is due to DHA.

Some patients with hypertrichosis and the Stein-Leventhal syndrome had an elevated epiandrosterone excretion. The change was statistically significant. The increased epiandrosterone excretion was a sign of the typical male phenomenon, which promotes the synthesis or activation of some enzyme or cofactor necessary for the 3β-oriented reduction of the 3-ketone. Hirsutism is due to a typical male reductase system.
EFFECT OF NOR-ADRENALINE ON THE RESPONSE OF THE THYROID TO THYROTROPHIC HORMONE
Authors: Földes J. , Krasznai I. , Megyesi K.
Published: December 2008

It has been shown that the combination of thyrotrophin and nor-adrenaline – each in a dose which is ineffective when given alone – increases the amount of the PB131I in the plasma of the thyroid vein. The enhancing effect of nor-adrenaline was clearly observed when the thyroid-stimulating dose of TSH was fixed at a suboptimal level, which did not make the thyroid respond to the full limits of its functional capacity. Under the experimental conditions described, it appears reasonable to assume a functional synergism between TSH and nor-adrenaline.
TOXIC ADENOMA OF THE THYROID, WITH TRIIODOTHYRONINE AS THE PRINCIPAL CIRCULATING THYROID HORMONE
Authors: Shimaoka Katsutaro
Published: December 2008

A case of toxic uninodular goiter in a patient whose major circulating thyroid hormone had the chromatographic characteristics of triiodothyronine is reported. In reviewing the small number of triiodothyronine-secreting patients reported so far, it is apparent that they constitute a very heterogeneous group. However, they had several features in common: normal PBI, high conversion ratio, warm or hot tissue on scintigram, and relative freedom from thyrotoxicity. Although the circulating levels of triiodothyronine reported in these patients would be expected to lead to manifestations of hyperthyroidism, this diagnosis was made in only half of them, and none were severely toxic.
EFFECTS OF ADRENALECTOMY AND CORTICOID REPLACEMENT ON BILE ACID CONJUGATION IN BILE FISTULA RATS
Authors: Hellström Kjell , Strand Ove
Published: December 2008

Bile fistula bile from male normal, sham-operated, adrenalectomized and cortisone substituted adrenalectomized rats was analyzed for free and conjugated bile acids. 40–50 per cent of the bile acids from adrenalectomized rats were conjugated with glycine as compared to less than 10 per cent in the other groups. The cortisone substituted adrenalectomized rats showed a lower glycine conjugation than normal rats. In the bile from adrenal-ectomized rats, free cholic acid corresponding to 2–5% of the conjugated bile acids was detected. In the bile from the other groups less than 1% of free cholic acid was found. The mechanism responsible for the abnormal conjugation pattern found in adrenalectomized rats is discussed.
EFFECT OF HEAVY MUSCULAR WORK ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE RAT TESTIS
Authors: Härkönen M. , Kontinen E. , Kormano M. , Niemi M.
Published: December 2008

The effect of short- and long-term muscular work on the Leydig cells of the rat was studied. The rats were allowed to run in a rotating wire cylinder for various periods. The amount of stress was evaluated by the involution of the thymus, ulceration of the gastric mucosa, enlargement of adrenal glands and their lipid and catecholamine contents.

After a short-term experiment, periods of 16 + 10 hours' running with rest for 10 hours in between, accessory genital organs were slightly involuted 4 to 8 days following the stress. The testes were histologically and histochemically intact.

Similar results were obtained after a long-term experiment, comprising continuous daily running for 10 hours over a period of 12 days.

In a progressive long-term experiment, viz. daily running until exhaustion for 14 days, temporary degeneration of the Leydig cells occurred: the percentage of interstitial tissue and the size of the nuclei of the Leydig cells diminished and the number of degenerating Leydig cells significantly increased. Oxidative enzyme activity was markedly suppressed. DPN-diaphorase and β-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase activity were very markedly decreased. The involution of the accessory genital organs was more pronounced than in the two former experiments. All these phenomena reverted to normal within ten days.

In every experiment the seminiferous tubules remained histologically normal.
CONJUGATED OESTROGENS. II
Authors: Kushinsky Stanley , Tang Jane (Wu)
Published: December 2008

A method is described for the extraction and separation of free and conjugated oestrogens in urine. Celite 545, a diatomaceous earth, is coated with a high molecular weight secondary amine (Amberlite LA-1, Rohm and Haas, Phila., Pa.) and is used as a chromatographic support for the separation of various free and conjugated oestrogens in urine and in extracts of urine. Elution is carried out with extremely dilute acids. Optimum separation was obtained with a column of Celite coated with LA-1 (formate) in which the conjugated oestrogens in a concentrated extract of urine were eluted with a linear gradient (in the mixing chamber) of formic acid (pH 3.10 to 5.04).
EFFECT OF ADRENAL HORMONES ON BILE FLOW IN ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: Kuusisto A. N. , Telkkä Antti
Published: December 2008

The effect of the administration of cortisone, cortisol and adrenaline on the previously observed, decreased secretion of bile in adrenalectomized rats was studied. The bile was collected by cannulation from the choledochus. The bile flow was completely restored by the administration of cortisone or cortisol, whereas adrenaline was ineffective in this respect. The denervation of adrenal medulla in control animals did not alter the bile output. The results indicate that the decreased bile output in adrenalectomized rat is mainly due to the absence of corticoid hormones.
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF ERGOCORNINE (ERGOTOXINE) INTERFERENCE WITH DECIDUALIZATION AND NIDATION: II.
Authors: Shelesnyak M. C. , Barnea Ayalla
Published: December 2008

In an attempt to localize the site of the pregnancy-interrupting-action of ergocornine, the drug was applied directly to the ovary, uterus and hypophysis of the pregnant or pseudopregnant rat in which the uterus was undergoing decidualization. Ergocornine was applied in the following vehicles: Carbowax '4000', C. M. C., ascorbic acid, and ethanol, in doses which when administered systemically are not effective. We failed to elicit the usual response to ergocornine by topical application of the drug to these organs. There was no instance of the usual post-ergocornine appearance of oestrus, nor any interference with uterine decidualization in the pregnant or pseudopregnant rat. We have been forced to assume that the ergocornine does not act as such but that a degradation or metabolic transformation is required at a site other than the »target« organs. The liver is suspected as this site and is being examined.
DOSE-RESPONSE BETWEEN EXOGENOUS CORTISONE ACETATE AND THE URINARY EXCRETION OF TRYPSIN INHIBITOR IN MAN
Authors: Faarvang Hans J.
Published: December 2008

The effect of different doses of exogenous cortisone acetate on the urinary excretion of trypsin inhibitor was studied in 3 women with approximately the same normal spontaneous 24-hour cortisol production. No correlation could be found between the dose of cortisone and the crude trypsin inhibitor excretion produced. However, when the 24-hour trypsin inhibitor excretion on the day of hormone administration was measured with the subject's normal spontaneous 24-hour excretion level of the inhibitor as unit, a high degree of positive correlation (direct proportionality) was found.

These results can be explained by the previously proposed theory, that the urinary trypsin inhibitor excretion is determined by the equation:

Excretion of trypsin inhibitor = Amount of glucocorticoid affecting the organism × Sensitivity to glucocorticoid,

where sensitivity to glucocorticoid is the excretion of trypsin inhibitor produced by 1 mg of the glucocorticoid.
AUTORADIOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION STUDIES OF INJECTED 32P-LABELLED POLYDIETHYLSTILBOESTROL PHOSPHATE
Authors: Bengtsson G.
Published: December 2008

The autoradiographic distribution pattern of intravenously injected 32P-polydiethylstilboestrol phosphate (32P-PSP), in which the diethylstilboestrol molecules are linked by 32P-phosphate bonds, has been studied in mice. In accordance with previous findings with a PSP-preparation labelled with 14C in the diethylstilboestrol molecules an accumulation was seen in tissues rich in reticuloendothelial cells which are a probable depot for the macromolecule. Contrary to 14C-PSP no specific uptake of 32P was observed in tissues presumed to be targets for oestrogens. This indicates that only the monomolecular diethylstilboestrol and not the polymer shows affinity to the target sites.
DISTRIBUTION OF INJECTED 14C-OESTRONE AND 14C-DIETHYLSTILBOESTROL
Authors: Bengtsson Gösta
Published: December 2008

Previous qualitative autoradiographic distribution studies after the administration of oestrogens have been complemented by quantitative measurements on tissue samples removed from sections through whole mice.
IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF ANDROGENS BY A VIRILIZING ADRENAL ADENOMA AND ASSOCIATED POLYCYSTIC OVARIES
Authors: Kase Nathan , Kowal Jerome , Perloff William , Soffer Louis J.
Published: December 2008

A case of a virilizing adrenal adenoma in which bilateral Stein-Leventhal ovaries were found is presented. Despite the morphologic similarity, these ovaries did not possess the in vitro potential for increased androgen production demonstrated by polycystic ovaries removed from patients without apparent adrenal disease. These findings lend support to the thesis that, regardless of the organ source, increased androgen production leads to abnormal ovarian function reflected morphologically in follicle maturation arrest.
ENDOCRINE ACTIVITY OF THE TESTIS IN OBESE-HYPERGLYCAEMIC MICE
Authors: Hellman Bo , Jacobsson Lars , Täljedal Inge-Bert
Published: December 2008

The endocrine activity of the testis in relation to hyperglycaemia and obesity was investigated by using hereditary obese-hyperglycaemic mice (AO-mice). The AO-mice had smaller testes and hypoplastic seminal vesicles. The occurrence of atrophic interstitial Leydig cells was a conspicuous feature in these animals. However, a positive reaction for steroid 3β-ol dehydrogenase was also obtained in these interstitial cells. The Leydig cells of the AO-mice represented an endocrine organ with a total volume of only half that in the normal litter mates (AN-mice). Although there was a slight decrease in the number of spermatozoa, all stages of a normal spermatogenesis were identified. The signs of reduced endocrine activity of the testis in the obese-hyperglycaemic syndrome are discussed in the light of previous data on reproduction anomalies in diabetes and obesity.
FAILURE TO INHIBIT CORTICOTROPHIN SECRETION BY EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED INCREASES IN CORTICOID LEVELS
Authors: Smelik P. G.
Published: December 2008

The present experiments were designed in order to investigate whether physiological elevations in corticoid blood levels would inhibit the pituitary-adrenal response to stress. Plasma corticosterone (11β,21-dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione) levels and the in vitro corticoid production by excised adrenals were determined in anaesthetized rats, pretreated with corticosterone solutions injected intravenously or intramuscularly.

Intravenous administration of small amounts of corticosterone induced a very high but transient peak in plasma corticosterone concentrations. Corticosterone infusion caused a constant increase in plasma corticosterone levels. Increases exceeding maximal physiological values did not prevent the adrenocortical activation produced by histamine or corticotrophin.

The summation of exogenous (infused) and endogenous (produced) corticosterone in the plasma became incomplete with increasing levels. This summation was not due to an increasing inhibition of the endogenous production, but to a higher rate of disappearance from the blood.

It is concluded that these data are not in agreement with the »variable set point control theory[00AP], and demonstrate that physiological variations in plasma corticoid concentration do not affect the acute stress-induced corticotrophin release.
EINE CHEMISCHE METHODE ZUR BESTIMMUNG VON 16-EPI-ÖSTRIOL IM URIN DES MENSCHEN
Authors: Nocke W. , Breuer H.
Published: December 2008

A method for the chemical determination of 16-epi-oestriol in the urine of nonpregnant women with a qualitative sensitivity of less than 0.5 μg/24 h is described. The separation of 16-epi-oestriol and oestriol is accomplished by converting 16-epi-oestriol into its acetonide, a reaction which is stereoselective for cis-glycols and therefore not undergone by oestriol as a trans-glycol. Following partition between chloroform and aqueous alkali, the acetonide of 16-epi-oestriol is completely separated with the organic layer whereas oestriol as a strong phenol remains in the alkaline phase. 16-epi-oestriol is chromatographed on alumina as the acetonide and determined as a Kober chromogen. This procedure can easily be incorporated into the method of Brown et al. (1957 b) thus making possible the simultaneous routine assay of oestradiol-17β, oestrone, oestriol and 16-epi-oestriol from one sample of urine.

The specificity of the method was established by separation of 16-epi-oestriol from nonpregnancy urine as the acetonide, hydrolysis of the acetonide by phosphoric acid, isolation of the free compound by microsublimation and identification by micro melting point, colour reactions and chromatography. The accuracy of the method is given by a mean recovery of 64% for pure crystalline 16-epi-oestriol when added to hydrolysed urine in 5–10 μg amounts. The precision is given by s = 0.24 μg/24 h. For the duplicate determination of 16-epi-oestriol the qualitative sensitivity is 0.44 μg/24 h, the maximum percentage error being ± 100% The quantitative sensitivity (±25% error) is 1.7 μg/24 h.
THE CONVERSION OF PREGNENOLONE-7-3H AND PROGESTERONE-4-14C TO OESTRADIOL BY A CORPUS LUTEUM OF PREGNANCY
Authors: Ryan Kenneth J.
Published: December 2008

The conversion by a corpus luteum of pregnancy of pregnenolone-7-3H and progesterone-4-14C to oestradiol in 1% yield has been reported. The oestradiol was characterized by solvent partition, chromatography, enzymatic conversion to oestrone, methyl ether formation and crystallization after carrier addition. A similar ratio of 3H to 14C was found in the starting materials, in the 17-hydroxyprogesterone intermediate and in the end product oestradiol. No evidence was found for a significant alternate pathway of oestrogen formation via Δ5-3β ol intermediates in this tissue.
THE ADRENAL CORTEX AND EFFECTS OF ADRENALINE ON CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN THE ISOLATED RAT DIAPHRAGM
Authors: Bouman P. R. , Dermer W.
Published: December 2008

The in vitro effects of adrenaline on glycogen metabolism and glucose uptake were studied in diaphragms of intact, adrenalectomized and adrenodemedullated rats decapitated under »Nembutal« anaesthesia.

Adrenalectomy and pretreatment of adrenalectomized rats with cortisol caused an increase in the net loss of glycogen induced by adrenaline. When glycogen deposition in the absence of adrenaline was also taken into account, the overall magnitude of the glycogenolytic response appeared to be unchanged. The apparent qualitative change in response induced by these procedures was attributed to increased initial glycogen values. In diaphragms of adrenalectomized and adrenodemedullated rats the response to adrenaline was identical, the initial glycogen content being the same in these preparations. None of the experimental procedures affected the variable inhibition of glucose uptake by adrenaline.

These results do not favour the existence of a »permissive« or synergistic action of adrenocortical steroids with regard to the effects of adrenaline on peripheral carbohydrate metabolism.
EFFECTS OF LONG TERM ADMINISTRATION OF GLUCAGON ON THE PANCREATIC ISLET TISSUE OF RATS AND GUINEA-PIGS
Authors: Petersson Birger , Hellman Bo
Published: December 2008

Rats and guinea-pigs were injected every eight hours with crystalline glucagon (0.3–0.6 mg/kg) and killed after different periods of treatment up to 30 days. Immature animals (glucagon treatment commenced on the second postnatal day) were also included among the rats investigated.

While the immature glucagon treated rats grew almost as well as their litter mate controls, there was a marked reduction of the body and adrenal weights, when the injections were started at a more adult age. In the latter rats the total islet volume was significantly reduced and the A1/A2 cell number ratio increased from 0.24 ± 0.02 to 0.32 ± 0.02.

In the guinea-pigs the glucagon treatment resulted in a considerable decrease in both the body and pancreatic weights. These changes were associated with a significant increase in the relative amount of the endocrine pancreas, the total islet volume being unchanged. While the A1 cells appeared unaffected by the glucagon treatment, the A2 cells were markedly atrophied. After an apparent initial increase there was a subsequent progressive diminution of the silvery-white dark field granulation of the A2 cells during the glucagon treatment. The postcoupled benzylidene reaction for tryptophane also decreased and became insignificant in guineapigs injected with glucagon for a long period. In the latter animals the percentage of A2 cells was only 3.4 ± 0.2 as compared with 24.4 ± 1.3 for the controls. As a consequence of this, the A1/A2 cell number ratio was about 6 times as high in the glucagon treated guinea-pigs. The data obtained for the longer term adaptation of the islets of Langerhans to the administration of glucagon support the concept that this hormone is secreted by the silver-negative A2 cells.
CYTOGENETICAL AND CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS IN MALE HYPOGONADISM
Authors: de la Chapelle Albert , Hortling Herman
Published: December 2008

Cytogenetical investigations were carried out on 43 patients with manifest or suspected hypogonadism. Clinically, the patients were divided into different groups.

Among 9 patients with Klinefelter-like syndrome, 5 had the karyotype 47/XXY and 4 had normal male chromosomes (46/XY). Among a further 8 patients who had unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism or had had it previously, but did not show any other typical clinical features, 2 had the karyotype 47/XXY, one was a 45/XO // 46/XY mosaic, and one had markedly large Y chromosomes. Four patients of this group had normal chromosomes. One patient with traumatic agonadism and two with primary congenital testicular hypogonadism had normal karyotypes. Among 8 patients with delayed puberty or infantilism, 3 had the karyotype 47/XXY, one had 46/X-large Y, and 4 were cytogenetically normal. One patient with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism was of the type 46/X-large Y. Two pituitary dwarfs had normal karyotypes. Finally, out of 3 patients with signs of dystrophia adiposo-genitalis, one had the karyotype 47/XXY, one 46/X-large Y, and one had normal chromosomes.

Large Y chromosomes probably do not cause hypogonadism or developmental disorder.

One patient with no clinical hypogonadism, who had normal chromosomes, had Barr bodies in his oral mucosa cells. Thus undetected mosaicism is probable in his case.

Good agreement was otherwise evident between the results of nuclear sexing and karyotype determinations. Thus, the 11 patients with the karyotype 47/XXY were chromatin-positive, whereas all the others were chromatin-negative.

No aberrations whatsoever of the chromosomes or sex chromatin were demonstrated in a control group of 20 subjects.
THE EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUSLY INJECTED CORTICOTROPHIN IN MAN
Authors: Hedner Pavo , Einerth Yngve
Published: December 2008

A single intravenous injection of 10 U. S. P. units of a purified ACTH preparation in man produced a maximal effect for at least 4 hours, and the effect was still significant 8 hours after the injection. The biological half life of this preparation was calculated and found to be about 1 hour. When given as an infusion over 8 hours this preparation was calculated to give a maximally active plasma ACTH level for 9½ hours. A significantly increased plasma corticosteroid level was present 12 hours after the beginning of the infusion, and a comparable response was obtained by the same amount of ACTH twice injected intravenously with 4 hours interval. A maximal adrenocortical activity was obtained with 50 U. S. P. units of the same ACTH injected intramuscularly and this persisted for at least 8 hours.

The result of this investigation is not consistent with the view often held that the biological half life of exogenous ACTH is short and this discrepancy may be explained by the purified ACTH preparation used here. The relation between different methods of ACTH administration and their significance in clinical therapy is discussed.
THE EXCRETION OF OESTRONE, PREGNANEDIOL AND PREGNANETRIOL IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS
Authors: Nissen-Meyer Roar , Sanner Tore
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion of oestrone, pregnanediol and pregnanetriol has been determined in breast cancer patients at different stages of their endocrine treatment.

The results demonstrate that corticosteroids in substitution doses (cortisone 50 mg daily, or prednisone 10 mg daily, divided in 4 daily doses) are very effective in depressing the excretion of all three steroids in postmenopausal patients. This is in agreement with our clinical impression that these easily tolerated small doses of corticosteroids have the same therapeutic effect as adrenalectomy in patients with breast cancer.

The results indicate that the ovaries may contribute to the production of oestrogens for many years after the menopause, and that this production is depressed by ovarian irradiation. This is in agreement with our clinical observation that ovarian irradiation has a therapeutic value in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.
AN IMPROVED CHICK COMB ANDROGEN ASSAY
Authors: Lerner Leonard J. , Bianchi Albert
Published: December 2008

A modification of an androgen assay employing chick comb growth as its end-point has been described.

Reduction in the daily inunction volume of the androgen oil vehicle from 0.05 ml to 0.005 ml and its delivery to the comb with a microsyringe resulted in increased assay sensitivity and precision. Statistical analyses of testosterone dose response curves indicate that 6.2 and 6.6 times as much androgen is required when the larger vehicle volume is used to elicit identical comb growth response compared with that of the smaller volume. The index of precision (λ) for a four dose level assay was 0.336 for the larger volume and 0.190 for the smaller vehicle volume.
ISOLIERUNG VON DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERON AUS MENSCHLICHEM SPERMA
Authors: Dirscherl W. , Breuer H.
Published: December 2008

266 ml of human sperm were extracted with butanol and the extracts hydrolysed with helix pomatia. After chromatography on Al2O3, a 17-oxo-steroid was found which was identified as dehydroepiandrosterone by its melting point, paper chromatography, and the sulfuric acid-water reaction. The concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone was found to be 6.9 μg/100 ml.
DIE INITIALE METABOLISIERUNG VON TESTOSTERON-4-14C IN DER RATTE. I.
Authors: Mosebach K.-O. , Dirscherl W. , El-Attar T.
Published: December 2008

The metabolism of testosterone-4-14C was investigated in different organs of immature, non castrated male rats 10 minutes after administration. The total amount of radioactivity in the conjugates (glucuronides, sulfates), water and organic phases was determined. The activity of the conjugated fraction in the testes, liver, skin and penis was relatively high. The glucuronide fraction was especially high in the testes, liver and blood. A rather soluble phase which adhered to the organic extract residue was particularly high in the liver and blood. Testosterone metabolites were abundant in the liver, kidneys, testes, seminal vesicles and penis. In the liver, kidney and testes a good deal of activity was found in the region of dihydroxy C19 steroids on paper, while there was much less activity due to monohydroxymonoketo C19 steroids. Androstenedione could not be detected in all organs investigated except in the testes. In the liver, kidney and blood considerable amounts of activity due to unknown high polar metabolites were observed.

In a preliminary investigation, it was found that, 10 min after the injection of testosterone-4-14C, the specific activity of the testes, seminal vesicles and penis was much higher than in the other organs. This activity decreased fairly rapidly.
THE BIOTRANSFORMATION OF 3α-HYDROXY-17-KETOSTEROIDS
Authors: Fukushima David K. , Bradlow H. Leon , Zumoff Barnett , Hellman Leon , Gallagher T. F.
Published: December 2008

The metabolism of 3α-hydroxy-δ5-androsten-17-one (I) was studied in man. Following large intravenous and oral quantities of I, androsterone plus aetiocholanolone accounted respectively for 14% and 23% of the amount administered. In both studies 5% of I was recovered unchanged and no evidence was obtained for significant formation of dehydroepiandrosterone.

Rapid oxidation of the 3α-hydroxyl group of I following intravenous injection of 3α-hydroxy-δ5-androsten-17-one-3β-3H occurred as evidenced by tritium in body water. There was only trace radioactivity in androsterone and aetiocholanolone. Labeled I was recovered in about 13% yield. Oxidation of the 3α-hydroxyl group was also shown to occur with 3α-hydroxyaetiocholan-17-one-3β-3H with a 55% recovery of steroid. The significance of the results and the metabolic pathways involved are discussed.
METABOLIC STUDIES WITH 131I-LABELED THYROXINE. II.
Authors: Grinberg R.
Published: December 2008

Radiologically thyroidectomized female Swiss mice were injected intraperitoneally with 131I-labeled thyroxine (T4*), and were studied at time intervals of 30 minutes and 4, 28, 48 and 72 hours after injection, 10 mice for each time interval. The organs of the central nervous system and the pituitary glands were chromatographed, and likewise serum from the same animal.

The chromatographic studies revealed a compound with the same mobility as 131I-labeled triiodothyronine in the organs of the CNS and in the pituitary gland, but this compound was not present in the serum. In most of the chromatographic studies, the peaks for I, T4 and T3 coincided with those for the standards. In several instances, however, such an exact coincidence was lacking.

A tentative explanation for the presence of T3* in the pituitary gland following the injection of T4* is a deiodinating system in the pituitary gland or else the capacity of the pituitary gland to concentrate T3* formed in other organs. The presence of T3* is apparently a characteristic of most of the CNS (brain, midbrain, medulla and spinal cord); but in the case of the optic nerve, the compound is not present under the conditions of this study.
EFFECT OF CLOMIPHENE ON AROMATIZATION OF STEROIDS BY THE HUMAN PLACENTA IN VITRO
Authors: Smith Olive W. , Day Caroline F.
Published: December 2008

Results of in vivo experiments in women (Smith et al. 1963) have raised the possibility that clomiphene per se may be capable of stimulating one or more of the enzyme systems involved in ovarian biosynthesis of oestrogens. In the in vitro experiments herein reported, the effect of adding this drug to a preparation of human placenta capable of converting certain C19 steroids to ring A phenols was investigated. The substrates were inert and radioactive testosterone and androstenedione. In each of 6 experiments involving, besides the controls, nine direct comparisons between the yields of oestrone with versus without clomiphene added, there was clear evidence that the addition of clomiphene increased the rate of this reaction. The conversion of radioactive precursors was increased by an average of 23.4%. Measured chemically, in the same experiments, the average increase was 27.0%.

That the results reported are related to the stimulatory effect of this drug upon steroidogenesis in human ovaries remains to be proven.
DISTRIBUTION OF OESTRONE AND OESTRADIOL-17β IN SOW OVARIES
Authors: Lunaas Torleiv
Published: December 2008

The contents of oestrone and oestradiol-17β were estimated in component parts of sow ovaries representative of the follicular and luteal phase of the oestrous cycle and also in whole juvenile ovaries.

The values obtained of the sum total oestrone and oestradiol-17β in the follicular fluid and in the corresponding residual tissue were highly correlated. The proportions of oestradiol-17β tended to be larger in the follicular fluid than in the tissue (mean percentage: 84.3 and 69.6 respectively).

In ovaries from the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle the oestrogen levels were generally lower than in ovaries from the follicular phase. Whereas no difference was found between the very low levels of oestrone in the corpora lutea and in the remainder of the ovary containing small follicles, the levels of oestradiol-17β differed significantly, being lower in the luteal tissue.

Within each category of ovaries the absolute levels of the oestrogens were very variable.

The results are discussed in relation to the pattern of urinary oestrone excretion in the sow during the oestrous cycle.
INHIBITORY ACTION OF CALCIUM ON THE INACTIVATION OF ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE BY RAT KIDNEY SLICES
Authors: Thorn N. A. , Willumsen N. B. S.
Published: December 2008

Increasing the calcium concentration 5 times or more in the medium used for studying the inactivation of arginine-vasopressin by rat kidney medulla slices caused a marked inhibition of the inactivating activity of such slices. This effect was not found in homogenates of rat kidney medulla. The results are in agreement with the interpretation that the high calcium concentration decreased the cellular permeability to the hormone. This would seem to give a rational explanation of the vasopressin-resistant diabetes insipidus which is found in hypercalcaemia.
DER TSH-RESERVE-TEST AN DER RATTE
Authors: Iff H. W. , Studer H. , Wyss F.
Published: December 2008

A rebound of 131I-uptake by the thyroid gland after a thyrostatic treatment may be taken as evidence of an unimpaired pituitary TSH-secretion.

The iodide uptake in vivo and the iodide accumulation in vitro were studied in rat thyroids following a short-term treatment of the animals with carbimazole. The experiments served as models for the clinical method of assaying the pituitary TSH-reserve.

The total iodide uptake reaches a peak 36 hours after the end of a carbimazole treatment and returns to normal after 96 hours. The rebound of the iodide accumulation has a similar time course. Extending the carbimazole treatment from 6 to 12 days leads to a definite increase in the peak iodide accumulation while the peak of the total iodide uptake was not significantly increased. The duration of the rebound-phase is not changed by prolonged carbimazole treatment.