bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMPAIRMENT OF THE PITUITARY-ADRENAL RESPONSE TO ACUTE STRESS IN ALLOXAN DIABETES
Authors: Kraus Shirley D. , Kaminskis Andris , Traystman Richard
Published: December 2008

The adrenal ascorbic acid depletion parameter was used to determine the pituitary-adrenal response to acute stress, the adrenal responsiveness to exogenous corticotrophin (ACTH), and the pituitary ACTH reserve in alloxan diabetes. The pituitary-adrenal response to histamine (0.5 mg/100 g i. p.) 1 hour before sacrifice was significantly impaired in uncontrolled diabetes. Elimination of glycosuria by insulin administration (7 days) restored the response to normal though adrenal hyperplasia was still evident. The impaired stress response was not due to a decrease in the adrenal responsiveness or the pituitary ACTH reserve. The adrenal ascorbic acid depletion response to exogenous ACTH (measured against saline controls) was normal. Pituitary extracts of diabetic animals produced the same degree of adrenal ascorbic acid depletion in hypophysectomized animals as pituitary extracts of normal animals. The adrenal hyperactivity previously reported to exist in uncontrolled diabetes is accompanied by a decreased ability to release preformed ACTH in response to acute stress. The metabolic stress of diabetes resembles other chronic stressors which impair the secretory mechanism at the hypothalamo-hypophyseal level.
HISTOCHEMICAL AND ENDOCRINE STUDIES IN THREE CASES OF MALE PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITISM
Authors: Griñó Enrique , Reissenweber Nelson J.
Published: December 2008

The histochemistry of the gonads of three cases of male pseudohermaphroditism was studied. The histological and histochemical findings are integrated with the clinical and laboratory data.

The study enables us to differentiates the histological picture of the gonads of these patients from those of prepuberal or primary undescended testes. A histochemical study was used to differentiate the Leydig cells in the cases without feminization, from the feminized cases. The feminized patients had a testicular interstitial tissue filled with a pigment identified as a lipofuscin. 3β-ol-dehydrogenase activity was markedly positive in these pigmented cells, suggesting their active functional condition.
THE COMPARATIVE HYPERTENSIVE ACTIVITIES OF THE ACETATES OF D-ALDOSTERONE AND DEOXYCORTICOSTERONE
Authors: Hall C. E. , Hall O.
Published: December 2008

The hypertensive effect of the acetates of d-aldosterone and deoxycorticosterone was compared by injecting 0.125 mg of each twice daily in oil subcutaneously into unilaterally nephrectomized rats given 1% saline solution to drink. The two hormones had entirely comparable activity in respect to the enhancement of saline consumption, the development of hypertension and the magnitude of cardiac enlargement induced. Aldosterone treatment caused a much greater degree of renal hypertrophy and far more severe vascular lesions in the heart and kidney. It is suggested that both of these effects may reflect the superior ability of aldosterone to cause potassium excretion and therefore a more severe hypokaliaemia. Only aldosterone caused thymic involution, believed to be an indirect response, and impairment of body growth.

Under the circumstances of this experiment the hypertensive potency of aldosterone was at least as great as that of deoxycorticosterone, and the ability to bring about vascular damage far greater. Although it is recognized that this relationship might not obtain at all dose levels of the two steroids, it is suggested that the lesser activity usually ascribed to aldosterone as compared with DCA when the two are given in dosages calculated to cause an equivalent degree of sodium retention, may reflect the operation of variables such as absorption rate, enzymatic inactivation rate and hence the respective quantities in the circulation at any given time, rather than differences in the inherent potency.
THE EFFECT OF SYNTHETIC ANGIOTENSIN-II-AMIDE AND METHOPYRAPONE (SU 4885) ON THE HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX OF INTACT AND HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS
Authors: Lamberg B.-A. , Pettersson T. , Gordin A. , Karlsson R.
Published: December 2008

The effect of angiotensin-II-amide (Val-5-Hypertensin-II-amide, Hypertensin®, Ciba) and methopyrapone (Metopiron®, Ciba) on the lipid accumulation and activities of glucose-6-phosphate and succinic acid dehydrogenase (G-6-PD and SAD) in the zona glomerulosa (ZG) of intact and hypophysectomized rats was studied. Angiotensin induced lipid accumulation and activitation of the enzyme activity in intact rats. Hypophysectomy produced widening of the ZG and lipid accumulation. In hypophysectomized animals, the enzyme activity decreased markedly in zona fasciculata but appeared fairly intense in the enlarged ZG. The effect of angiotensin on the ZG of hypophysectomized rats was not as clearly defined as in intact animals. Angiotensin, however, seemed further to stimulate the activity of G-6-PD. Methopyrapone alone did not induce any marked changes in ZG of intact rats but when given in conjunction with angiotensin, the effect clearly exceeded that of angiotensin alone with regard to lipid accumulation and the activities of both G-6-PD and SAD. No synergistic effect was found in hypophysectomized animals.
EFFECT OF THYROIDECTOMY AND LOW ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE (4.4° C) UPON PLASMA AND PITUITARY THYROTROPHIN IN THE RAT
Authors: Panda J. N. , Turner C. W.
Published: December 2008

The content of thyrotrophin (TSH) in rat plasma and hypophyses was determined by means of the haemagglutination inhibition reaction. Mature female rats maintained at 26° C had a plasma TSH level of 0.94 mU/ml and a mean pituitary TSH level of 68.26 mU/mg. After 10 days of thyroidectomy the plasma TSH increased to 2.15 mU/ml, and to 2.81 mU/ml after 20 days. The TSH/mg of the pituitary glands was reduced to 40.4 mU after 10 days and to 35.0 mU after 20 days. After 25 days of thyroidectomy, L-Thyroxine (L-T4) at level of 2.5 μg/100 g body weight was injected for 1, 3 and 5 days. The plasma TSH level was reduced to 1.59, to 1.48 and 1.06 mU/ml, respectively. The pituitary TSH/mg was 37.5, 38.6 and 77.9 mU, respectively.

When rats held at 26° C were exposed to a temperature at 4.4° C for 10 and 20 days, the plasma TSH increased to 2.15 and 2.69 mU/ml, respectively. The pituitary TSH increased to 108.04 and to 240.9 mU/mg, respectively.

The combined effect of thyroidectomy and 4.4° C for 10 and 20 days, caused the plasma TSH to increase to 4.37 mU/ml after 10 days then decline to 2.4 mU/ml after 20 days. The pituitary TSH declined to 43.79 and 37.58 mU/mg, respectively. When thyroidectomized rats held at 4.4° C for 20 days were returned to 26° C for 4 days, the plasma level declined to 1.44 mU/ml and the pituitary remained low, 34.90 mU/mg.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MAXIMAL THYROXINE BINDING CAPACITIES OF THYROXINE-BINDING INTERALPHA GLOBULIN AND THYROXINE-BINDING PREALBUMIN, THE SERUM PROTEIN BOUND IODINE CONCENTRATION AND SEXUAL MATURITY IN ADOLESCENTS
Authors: Goldsmith R. E. , Rauh J. L. , Kloth R. , Dahlgren J.
Published: December 2008

The serum PBI concentration and the maximal thyroxine binding capacity for TBG and TBPA were determined in 100 adolescents. The subjects were classified according to sex and degree of sexual maturity. PBI was determined by an autoanalyzer method: Maximal thyroxine binding capacity for TBG fell with increasing maturation in males while TBPA capacity rose in both sexes. The slight changes in serum PBI noted with increasing sexual maturity correlated directly with the slight changes in TBG binding capacity; no correlation between PBI and TBPA binding capacity was observed as maturity progressed.
THE PURIFICATION OF 125I-GLUCAGON OF HIGH SPECIFIC ACTIVITY FOR RADIOIMMUNOCHEMICAL ESTIMATION OF GLUCAGON AND A QUALITATIVE COMPARISON OF GLUCAGON FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES
Authors: Schopman W. , Hackeng W. H. L. , Steendijk C.
Published: December 2008

Radioactively labelled glucagon gave a low percentage binding with antibodies.

This was not caused by a low antibody concentration in the antisera, but due to lack of reactivity of a part of the labelled glucagon to the antibodies. The radioactive glucagon was purified therefore by antibody binding and isolation of the antigen-antibody complex by gelfiltration. 125I-glucagon suitable for radioimmunochemical assay was obtained after dissociation of the complex.

Parallelism of response was studied in beef-pork glucagon, pork glucagon, extracts of dog and human pancreas and extracts of human plasma.

From the results it was concluded that the antiglucagon serum used did not discriminate between beef-pork, pork, human and dog glucagon.

Moreover glucagon was identified radioimmunochemically in extracts of some parts of the human gastrointestinal tract.
FURTHER STUDIES ON RNA AND PROTEIN BIOSYNTHESIS IN THE OVARIECTOMIZED MOUSE UTERUS
Authors: Mansour A. Maher
Published: December 2008

RNA was isolated from the ovarian and uterine tissues of calves by the cold phenol procedure. 10 OD of uterine-RNA, ovarian-RNA or the equivalent volume of normal saline was injected into the uterine lumen of ovariectomized mice.

Alkaline phosphatase and β-glucuronidase levels in the uterus were studied 3 days following the intra-uterine injections.

Results indicate that both U-RNA and O-RNA were able to induce protein (enzyme) production in the atrophied mouse uterus. Although U-RNA caused higher β-glucuronidase content of the uterus than O-RNA, the physiological state of the tissue used to supply the RNA did not have any effect.

Ribonuclease and KOH digestion of the RNA extract abolishes its action. Actinomycin D given simultaneously with RNA represses the latter's action.

The possibility of hormonal contamination in the RNA extraction is discussed and should be ruled out after ether washing.
IODIDE METABOLISM IN ONTARIO
Authors: Rosen Fred , Ezrin Calvin , Volpé Robert
Published: December 2008

Various parameters of inorganic iodide metabolism have been measured in a group of 22 healthy young women in a previous endemic goitre region of Ontario. The mean plasma inorganic iodide (PII) was comparable to values obtained in North America and Iceland, but higher than those in Scotland. The increased utilization of iodized salt in North America is thought to be responsible for this difference, and for the reduced incidence of endemic goitre. The thyroidal radioiodine clearance tended to be low (10.1 ml/min), but the absolute iodide uptake (AIU) was comparable to values obtained in the United States. The renal clearance of radioiodine was 30.0 ml/min. This compares well with values reported from around the world.
GONADAL DYSGENESIS WITH XX-ISOCHROMOSOME CONSTITUTION AND ABNORMAL THYROID PATTERNS
Authors: Milet R. G. , Plunkett E. R. , Carr D. H.
Published: December 2008

The authors report a female patient with XXi constitution for the long arm of the X chromosome associated with thyroid abnormalities, high digital ridge count and chronic suppurative otitis media.

This is followed by a discussion of the correlation between genotype and phenotype, comment on the Lyon hypothesis, the relationship of thyroid abnormalities to this condition, autoimmune disease, unbalanced sex chromosomal constitution and the association with a high total digital ridge count.

Finally a single hypothesis is proposed for the associated clinical entities that have been found and the suggestion that the classification of this particular type of gonadal dysgenesis be considered as a new syndrome, the »XX-isochromosome syndrome«.
CHANGES IN PHOSPHORUS CLEARANCE DETERMINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF GLUCOSE IN DISEASES OF THE PARATHYROIDS AND IN OTHER PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
Authors: Martini P. F. , Piancino G. , Modica A.
Published: December 2008

A reduction in tubular phosphorus reabsorption caused by the effect of competition induced by the intravenous injection of a glucose load, may provide information on the state of phosphorus reabsorption before the introduction of the glucose.

The authors use the term Cp1 for the phosphorus clearance value in the basic condition and Cp2 to indicate clearance modification brought about by glucose. The ratio Cp2/Cp1 thus shows the increase over the basic clearance. For normal subjects (10 cases) the ratio varied between 1.7 and 3.7 (mean value 2.6); in simple renal calculus (10 cases), in osteoporosis (2 cases), in thyrotoxicosis (3 cases), and in prolonged heparin therapy (2 cases) the ratio was within the normal range; in acromegaly (4 cases) the values tended to be above normal. There was a characteristic increase in the value of the ratio only in the case of hypoparathyroidism (3 patients). The reduction in the ratio found in hyperparathyroidism (3 cases) cannot be considered as characteristic since a reduction was also observed on occasion in other diseases, namely Paget's disease (1 case out of 2) and osseous metastasis (2 cases out of 4).
EXCRETION OF GONADOTROPHINS DURING GESTAGEN- AND OESTROGEN-TREATMENT
Authors: Starup J.
Published: December 2008

5 menopausal and 12 oophorectomized women aged 31 to 56 were divided in two comparable groups. The first group was treated with a daily dose of 5 mg of 6-methyl-6-dehydro-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (megestrol acetate) continuously, and the second group received a daily dose of 0.1 mg of 17α-ethynyl-oestradiol-3-methylether (mestranol) also continuously. The patients were observed for 12 to 63 weeks. The excretion of total pituitary gonadotrophins was determined every 2 to 4 weeks during treatment and every week during the period after the end of treatment.

During treatment with megestrol acetate it was characteristic of all 9 patients in this group that the excretion of gonadotrophins showed very marked variations from time to time, but in none of the 9 patients was there any significant suppression of the gonadotrophins.

During treatment with mestranol there was a significant suppression of the gonadotrophins in 7 out of the 8 patients in this group, and in 3 patients the excretion became undetectable. The suppression of gonadotrophins occurred gradually over a period of about 4 months. The gonadotrophin output reached pre-treatment levels 2 to 9 weeks (an average of 5 weeks) after treatment was discontinued.

This effect of megestrol acetate and mestranol respectively on the excretion of total pituitary gonadotrophins was compared with the effect of a combination of both substance reported in a previous paper. With this combination it seems to be the oestrogen exclusively which causes the suppression of total gonadotrophins. No synergistic effect of the oestrogen and the gestagen was found.
DER INSULINHYPOGLYKÄMIE-TEST ALS FUNKTIONSPRÜFUNG DES HYPOTHALAMUS-HYPOPHYSEN-NEBENNIERENRINDEN-SYSTEMS.
Authors: Bethge H. , Irmscher K. , Solbach H. G. , Winkelmann W. , Zimmermann H. , Bayer J. M.
Published: December 2008

In 50 patients determinations of blood sugar and corticosteroids in plasma (11-OHCS) were carried out during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. In 9 out of 11 patients with Cushing's syndrome (bilateral adrenal hyperplasia) the characteristic finding was a missing increase of 11-OHCS concentrations during hypoglycaemia. On the contrary, 5 patients with alimentary obesity and clinical signs of hypercorticism showed a normal or even increased adrenocortical response. The results obtained in 7 patients with uncomplicated central diabetes insipidus did not differ from those in normal subjects, while 2 further patients with diabetes insipidus, complicated with secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, failed to respond. Findings in 12 patients with anorexia nervosa are consistent with a normal function of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. According to plasma corticosteroid response during hypoglycaemia results obtained in 15 patients with disorders of hypothalamus and/or hypophysis may be divided into three groups. The significance of this classification with regard to replacement therapy is discussed. Observations show that plasma corticosteroid estimations during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia provide a simple and reliable method to ascertain the function of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (insulinhypoglycaemiatest).
ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS OF THE VENTRAL PROSTATE TEST ACCORDING TO PAESI & DE JONGH
Authors: de Groot C. A.
Published: December 2008

The quantitative aspects of the ventral prostate test for LH activity according to Paesi & De Jongh have been studied. In this modification, the interval between hypophysectomy and the first LH injection is limited to one day. the duration of the treatment is six days and the weights of the male recipient rats are 35–40 g.

Dose-effect curves of LH-induced ventral prostate weight gain consist of two parts, each with its own slope. In the lower dosage range, there is »atrophy reduction«, i. e. the final prostate weights are between the saline control values and the mean ventral prostate weight of as yet nonhypophysectomized animals weighing 35–40 g. Higher doses of LH produce » growth« i. e. the ventral prostates are heavier than those of the non-hypophysectomized animals.

In contrast to HCG and rat hypophyseal extracts it is not possible to obtain »true growth« with NIH-LH.

The ventral prostate weight increase is a sensitive criterion of LH activity and can be used as a bioassay method, provided the LH to be tested is normally active in the rat and sufficiently stable.
PROTEOLYTIC AND AUTOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF SKELETAL MUSCLE IN TURNER'S SYNDROME
Authors: Stånescu V. , Biener Jeanne , Grigorescu A. , Diaconescu Cornelia , Maximilian C.
Published: December 2008

Assays of acid autolysis, acid and alkaline cathepsins, GOT transaminase and acid phosphatases activities were performed on muscle biopsy specimens in 10 patients with Turner's syndrome and 7 control subjects.

An increase in the acid autolysis and alkaline cathepsins activity and a non-significant increase in the acid cathepsins activity were found. GOT transaminase and acid phosphatases activities were similar in both groups, but the increase in acid phosphatases activity after triton X-100 was higher than in the controls.
HETEROGENEITY OF SLOPE BETWEEN TWO PERGONAL PREPARATIONS
Authors: Steinberger Emil , Persky Harold , Cuffari William J. , Duckett Gregory E. , McIntosh Natalie , Sambucca Albert
Published: December 2008

The luteinizing activity of two urinary postmenopausal gonadotrophin preparations (Pergonal-24 and -26) was measured by the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion test. Comparison of the slopes for the log dose-response regression lines by means of a t-test revealed that these two preparations were significantly different. This result indicates that Pergonal-24 and -26 cannot be used interchangeably as reference standards for the determination of urinary LH activity.
ON THE PRESENCE OF PRECORTICOTROPHIN – A PRECURSOR OF CORTICOTROPHIN IN VARIOUS MAMMALIAN HYPOPHYSES
Authors: Dasgupta P. R. , Margolis S. A. , Dorfman R. I.
Published: December 2008

Pituitary extracts of various species origin such as beef, sheep, pig, guineapig, rabbit and rat prepared in 0.9 per cent sodium chloride solution were assayed for corticotrophic activity, before and after acid treatment of the samples, by the adrenal ascorbic acid depletion method. The corticotrophic activity per mg of the pituitary tissue of sheep, pig and guineapig is comparable, but is considerably less than that of rat and rabbit pituitary glands. At the dose level of 0.25 mg wet weight of pituitary tissue per 100 g of body weight of the assay animals, the pituitary glands of all species except rabbit did not show any corticotrophic activity before acid treatment. However, after acid activation of the preparations significantly higher corticotrophic activity was detectable at this dose level. It is concluded that (1) the presence of precorticotrophin in the mammalian adenohypophysis is a general phenomenon, (2) at least 80 per cent of the total corticotrophic activity of the pituitary glands exists in the form of precorticotrophin, and (3) pig pituitary gland would be a suitable starting material for the separation of precorticotrophin from other pituitary factors.

Cold stress caused substantial depletion in the pituitary glands of both corticotrophin and precorticotrophin. Corticosterone treatment and adrenalectomy caused a profound decrease in the corticotrophin content of the hypophysis but precorticotrophin was clearly demonstrable.
EFFECTS OF •1–24 SYNTHETIC CORTICOTROPHIN ON REPRODUCTIVE TRACT AND KIDNEYS OF IMMATURE FEMALE MICE
Authors: Christian John J.
Published: December 2008

Four units of synthetic β1–24 corticotrophin (Ciba) were given daily to 12 sham-adrenalectomized (»intact«) and to 12 adrenalectomized female mice beginning at 33–39 days of age. Adrenalectomy was at 24–30 days of age and daily injections of 50 μg of cortisol acetate were begun at once. Synthetic corticotrophin (ACTH), like porcine ACTH, inhibited reproductive function in intact and adrenalectomized mice. One intact mouse had degenerate corpora lutea, but the other intact mice had none. There were no ripe follicles and uteri were anoestrous and usually mucified. Effects of synthetic ACTH in adrenalectomized mice were similar but less marked. This ACTH resulted in glomerular lesions similar to those produced by highly purified porcine ACTH at a roughly comparable dose (4 IU). Lesions were marked by an increase in intercapillary weakly PAS+, fibrillar-appearing material, increased size and cellularity of tuft, reduction in number and peripheralization of patent glomerular capillaries, and occasional deposits of brightly PAS positive material in the tufts, juxtaglomerular regions, and at bases of epithelial cells of distal tubules in proximity to glomeruli. Since β1–24 ACTH is very weakly antigenic compared to β1–24 or natural ACTH, it is unlikely that the production of renal lesions and inhibition of reproductive function result from an immune response and therefore is probably an inherent extra-adrenal action of the β1–24 ACTH core. Other pertinent effects of the synthetic ACTH are given.
OVARIAN CHANGES AFTER LONG-TERM ORAL CONTRACEPTION
Authors: Plate W. P.
Published: December 2008

A study was made of ovarian tissue, obtained from 5 women who had used an oral contraceptive during 4–30 cycles. Intra-ovarian signs of follicle growth and follicle maturation were found in 4, and hyperthecosis was present in 3 subjects. These changes are an indication of FSH and LH activity. Ovarian fibrosis was found in the 3 women who had used ovulation inhibitors for 12 or more cycles: thickening of the tunica albuginea was present in 3 and fibrosis of the cortical stroma in 2 of these women.
EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF NORETHYNODREL WITH MESTRANOL (ENOVID) IN MIDDLE-AGED MALE SYRIAN (GOLDEN) HAMSTERS, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO SPONTANEOUS TUMOURS
Authors: Sichuk George , Fortner Joseph G. , Der Bela K.
Published: December 2008

Prolonged administration of norethynodrel with mestranol had a pronounced and selective influence on hormonal target tissues in middleaged male hamsters. Results were compatible with work in other species, which shows the primary site of action to be the pituitary-gonad axis. Markedly reduced gonadotrophin and androgen levels were indicated by atrophy of testes and accessory reproductive glands. The high dosage used also resulted in significant renal hypertrophy, but structural integrity was not conspicuously different from that of controls.

The test agents had no influence on the incidence or metastatic propensity of a wide variety of spontaneous tumours, including adenomatous polyps and adenocarcinoma of the intestine, adrenal cortical nodular hyperplasia or adenoma, islet cell adenoma, melanoma, or adenocareinoma of Cowper's gland. This result is in accord with our previous observations that spontaneous tumorigenesis in the hamster is largely independent of hormonal physiology but is influenced by hormones to the extent that tumorigenesis may require some degree of normal tissue or cell integrity.
RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS STEROIDS IN AN ANDROGEN ASSAY USING THE EXORBITAL LACRIMAL GLAND OF THE CASTRATED RAT.
Authors: Cavallero Cesare
Published: December 2008

Morphological studies have shown that the exorbital lacrimal gland of the albino rat is a sexually dimorphic structure highly sensitive to androgens. Testosterone treatment elicits a vesicular-mucous change in the glandular acini which can be quantitated histologically and appears to be closely related to the administered dose. An assay procedure using the vesicular change as the end-point of androgenic activity is described and the relative androgenic activities of twenty-one Δ4-3-keto- and Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroids are given. The effect of a variety of substitutions in the steroid nucleus on the activities of testosterone, 17α-methyl-testosterone and 19-nortestosterone is described and discussed with reference to previously reported data.
RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS STEROIDS IN AN ANDROGEN ASSAY USING THE EXORBITAL LACRIMAL GLAND OF THE CASTRATED RAT.
Authors: Cavallero Cesare , Ofner Peter
Published: December 2008

The morphological transformation of the exorbital lacrimal gland of the castrated rat following subcutaneous injection of steroids, described in detail in the preceding paper, was employed as the end-point of androgenic activity. The relative effectiveness of androsterone and of thirteen derivatives of the 5α-androstane series was then determined using testosterone as reference standard. Androsterone proved one-half as active as the standard; 5α-androstan-17β-ol, 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol and 5α-androst-1-ene-3,17-dione were much less active, whereas 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol was 3 times as potent as testosterone. Introduction of a conjugated double bond at C 1,2 of 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one produced a four-fold increase of activity from a level a little lower than that of testosterone; a further increase in androgenicity was obtained on methyl substitution at C 1 of the Δ1-5α-isomer of testosterone. Esterification consistently increased the activities of the 5α-androstane derivatives tested.
ELECTROPHORETIC STUDIES ON PHOSPHATASES FROM THE PANCREATIC ISLETS OF OBESE-HYPERGLYCAEMIC MICE
Authors: Täljedal Inge-Bert
Published: December 2008

Disc-electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels was used for the separation of phosphatases from the pancreatic islets of American obese-hyperglycaemic mice. Three sites of enzyme activity involving inosine diphosphate, adenosine diphosphate and thiamine pyrophosphate were observed and their apparent substrate specificity and sensitivity to various ions examined. By comparison with the epididymis, it was concluded that the different enzyme activities most probably represented alkaline phosphatase, thiamine pyrophosphatase and Golgi-associated nucleoside diphosphatase. The activity of the last enzyme was measured in the endocrine and exocrine pancreas of fed and starved animals by densitometric scanning of the stained gels. The Golgi-associated nucleoside-diphosphatase activity was found to be about 4 times higher in the islets than in the acinar tissue, starvation of the animals for 7 days being without effect. The relative activities of two different molecular varieties of non-specific acid phosphatase were assayed after the isoenzymes had been extracted from the polyacrylamide gels. In the liver and endocrine pancreas the most rapidly migrating enzyme had the highest activity. Most of the enzyme activity from the exocrine pancreas, on the other hand, was found in the slow band.
THE EFFECT OF EPINEPHRINE ON TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION
Authors: Levin Joseph , Lloyd Charles W. , Lobotsky Julia , Friedrich E. H.
Published: December 2008

The metabolic clearance rate (MCR) and the production rate (PR) of testosterone were measured in four male subjects by the method of constant infusion of tritiated testosterone. The mean value of the MCR of 1161 ± 80 (SD) liters/24 hours was not altered by the infusion of epinephrine, at the rate of 0.466 mg per hour for three: hours. The plasma testosterone concentration was measured by the double isotope method of Riondel et al. (1963). Epinephrine significantly decreased this concentration (28%) and also the production rate (28%) The effect of epinephrine on plasma testosterone concentration was measured in six additional male subjects, and the results of the total of 10 subjects showed that there was a decrease of (28%) in the concentration. It was concluded that epinephrine significantly diminished the production rate of testosterone.
FURTHER STUDIES ON HEALTHY SUBJECTS WITH LOW AND HIGH INSULIN RESPONSE TO GLUCOSE INFUSION
Authors: Cerasi Erol , Luft Rolf
Published: December 2008

In a previous paper it was shown that 15 out of 85 healthy subjects with a normal intravenous glucose tolerance demonstrated a low plasma insulin response to glucose infusion which was similar to that obtained in diabetic subjects. In the present paper it has been shown that the type of insulin response to glucose infusion was the same when the test was repeated.

Low insulin responders to glucose infusion, as a group, also showed low insulin response to intravenous tolbutamide and oral glucose. This indicates that the type of insulin response is characteristic for a given subject irrespective of the stimulation used.

There seemed to be no difference in the occurrence of diabetes in the family history of the groups of low and high insulin responders.
THE EFFECT OF OESTROGENS ON THE HEALING OF URINARY BLADDER WOUNDS.
Authors: Rasmussen Finn
Published: December 2008

The healing of linear wounds in the urinary bladder was studied in control and oestrogen-treated male rabbits. Oestradiol monobenzoate increased the content of acid mucopolysaccharides in the bladder wall, decreased the synthesis of acid mucopolysaccharides in the healing wounds. and had no effect on collagen production.
OESTROGEN METABOLISM IN ANENCEPHALUS
Authors: Nakayama Tetsuya , Arai Kiyoshi , Yanaihara Takumi , Tabei Toru , Satoh Kazuo , Nagatomi Keiji
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion and concentration of oestrogens in the cord and maternal plasma were determined in three cases of pregnancy with anencephalus. All the foetuses had atrophied adrenal glands. In the cord plasma, the overall oestrogen levels were low; oestriol was one fourth to one eighth, whereas oestrone and oestradiol were one half to the normal values. The amounts of all three oestrogens were low in the maternal plasma and urine.

The placenta of an anencephalic foetus was perfused with labelled dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), and the radioactive metabolites of the perfusate were examined. More than 90% of the radioactivity was found in the phenolic fraction, and this fraction was further separated by gradient elution partition chromatography. 39.3% and 42.8% of the radioactivity was in oestrone and oestradiol fractions respectively. Each radioactive peak was then purified by paper chromatography, and the specific activities were obtained as cpm/μg Kober chromogen. Standard carriers were added to an aliquot and recrystallized to a constant specific activity. No radioactivity could be found in the oestriol fraction.

The results of this study indicate that the placenta of an anencephalic foetus can aromatize DHA in the same manner as the placenta of a normal foetus, and the results suggest that the foetal side is responsible for the abnormal oestrogen values.

The possible foeto-placental relationship in pregnancy is discussed from the point of view of oestrogen metabolism.
STUDIES ON THE AROMATISATION OF NEUTRAL STEROIDS IN PREGNANT WOMEN.
Authors: Dell'Acqua S. , Mancuso S. , Wiqvist N. , Ruse J. L. , Solomon S. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

Androst-5-ene-3β,16α,17β-triol-7α-3H was synthesized and the metabolism of this compound was studied in two volunteers following the administration at laparotomy of a tracer dose into the intact foeto-placental circulation.

The bulk of the radioactive material recovered from the placenta was in an unconjugated form. From this fraction androst-5-ene-3β,16α,17β-triol (Δ5-TRIOL), 16α-hydroxy-testosterone (16αHO-T) and oestriol (OE3) were isolated, but no labelled 16α-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone (16αHO-DHA), 16α-hydroxy-androstenedione (16αHO-A), 16α-hydroxyoestrone (16αHO-OE1) or 16oxo-17β-oestradiol (16oxo-OE2) were detected.

Some 90 per cent of the unconjugated and 77 to 90 per cent of the conjugated radioactive material present in the various foetal tissues was isolated as Δ5-TRIOL. Oestriol was also isolated, but only from the liver. It was present exclusively in a conjugated form. No conjugated or unconjugated 16αHO-DHA, 16αHO-OE1 or 16oxo-OE2 was detected in the foetal tissues.

The data indicate that the midterm placenta extensively converts Δ5-TRIOL into 16αHO-T and some of the latter into OE3, but that neither the placenta, nor the foetus is capable of converting these ring D glycols into the corresponding ketols. Considerable quantities of OE3, but little, if any, of the 16αHO-T formed seem to be released by the placenta to the foetus.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF INTRACEREBRAL CORTICOID IMPLANTS
Authors: Feldman Shaul , Conforti Nisim , Davidson Julian M.
Published: December 2008

Chronic implantation of cortisol acetate in the basal medial hypothalamus resulted in a steady decrease in weight of the adrenal glands which remained severely atrophic up to 70 days post-implantation. At this time, however, the adrenal ascorbic acid depletion response to unilateral adrenalectomy was normal. The compensatory adrenal hypertrophy (CAH) response, which was inhibited in the immediate post-operative period, reappeared later, and had returned to normal by 21 days postoperatively. Intramuscular administration of cortisol in unimplanted rats inhibited CAH at 14 or 21 days following onset of treatment, and prevented the recovery of CAH in animals implanted 21 days previously with cortisol in the median eminence. The possibility is discussed that the differential recovery of the responses to unilateral adrenalectomy in implanted animals with continuing atrophy of the adrenal cortex is due to some adaptation of central nervous mechanisms subserving the CAH response.
»HYPOPARATHYROIDISM«, HYPEROSTOSIS, NORMOPHOSPHATAEMIA AND THYROCALCITONIN. A POSSIBLE CASE OF HYPERTHYROCALCITONINISM
Authors: Fischer Jan A. , Binswanger Ulrich , Frey-Wettstein Manuel
Published: December 2008

A patient with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, diffuse hyperostosis, hypocalcaemia and normophosphataemia is reported. The normal renal response to an injection of parathyroid extract rules out a resistance of the kidney to the parathyroid hormone (PTH). A normal phosphate excretion and a decreased tubular phosphate reabsorption have not been observed in the absence of PTH. They are probably the result of a normal or increased PTH secretion.

A calcium infusion test produces a significantly smaller decrease in the phosphate excretion as compared to normal controls and this can be interpreted as a moderate inhibition of the PTH secretion in the presence of an excess of thyrocalcitonin (TCT). The main signs in our patient, i. e. the hyperostosis, the decreased area of bone resorption, the absence of osteoclasts, and the hypocalcaemia can be demonstrated in the rat treated with TCT. We conclude that our patient probably has an increased TCT secretion in the presence of a normal or increased PTH secretion.

The diffuse hyperostosis has been reported in a third of the patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism. We are tempted to believe that a long standing increased secretion of TCT has a marked effect on calcium uptake in bone, in addition to its inhibitory effect on bone resorption. In contrast, PTH primarily increases bone resorption with only a small effect on bone formation.
STUDIES ON A THYROID STIMULATING FACTOR IN URINARY CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN PREPARATIONS
Authors: Burger A. , Kunz R.
Published: December 2008

Thyroid stimulating activity was demonstrated in human urinary chorionic gonadotrophin preparations (HCG) by the method of McKenzie (1958). The biological response of the material was similar to that of bovine pituitary thyrotrophin (TSH), but no neutralization of the activity occurred with antibodies against human pituitary TSH and, even more interesting, with antibodies against human urinary chorionic gonadotrophin preparations. The latter antibodies perfectly neutralized human pituitary TSH. The Gamma-G-globulins precipitated from a mixture of HCG and anti-HCG contained biological activity whereas no activity was recovered in the Gamma-G-globulin fraction when HCG was mixed with non immune rabbit serum. This may indicate the presence of a soluble antigen-antibody complex.
EFFECTS OF SERUM AND HYPOTHALAMIC EXTRACTS IN INTACT AND HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RECIPIENTS OF THE PARLOW TEST
Authors: de Groot C. A.
Published: December 2008

Serum from intact and from hypophysectomized adult male rats induces an ovarian ascorbic acid depletion in intact immature pseudopregnant recipients. When the recipients are in addition hypophysectomized, only the effect obtained with hypophysectomized donor serum is found, while normal serum is inactive. Similar results are seen when, instead of serum, hypothalamic tissue extracts are injected. Normal serum and hypothalamic tissue apparently act by way of the recipients' pituitary gland, and hence, by LH-RF. The effect produced by hypophysectomized donor material in hypophysectomized recipients is probably non-specific. In parallel experiments it was found that not all depleting activity is lost by heating adenohypophyseal extracts for 15 minutes in a boiling water-bath.
DAS VERHALTEN DER CORTICOSTEROIDE IM PLASMA WÄHREND DER INSULINHYPOGLYKÄMIE UND UNTER LYSIN-VASOPRESSIN ALS FUNKTIONSPRÜFUNG DES HYPOTHALAMUS-HYPOPHYSEN-NEBENNIERENRINDEN-SYSTEMS
Authors: Bethge H. , Irmscher K. , Zimmermann H.
Published: December 2008

In eleven patients, two with no endocrine disorders and nine suffering from adrenocortical dysfunction, the plasma corticosteroids were estimated during insulin induced hypoglycaemia and lysin-vasopressin infusion. Both tests were combined and arranged in order to evaluate the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. The following findings were obtained:

In the two subjects with no endocrine disorders and in two of the three dwarf patients there was a distinct rise in plasma corticosteroids both during insulin induced hypoglycaemia and lysin-vasopressin infusion. This result was considered to indicate a normal adrenocorticotrophic function of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis.

In three patients, suffering apparently from disorders localized primarily in or above the hypothalamus, there was no increase in the plasma corticosteroids during insulin induced hypoglycaemia, indicating an impaired CRF-regulation. However, these patients responded adequately to lysin-vasopressin, showing a normal or primarily undisturbed adrenocorticotrophic activity of the pituitary gland.

In three patients with primary pituitary disorders there was no increase in the plasma corticosteroids either during insulin induced hypoglycaemia or lysin-vasopressin infusion.

While one patient with Cushing's syndrome due to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia showed a marked rise in plasma corticosteroid concentration during lysin-vasopressin infusion, another patient suffering from Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenocortical adenoma failed to respond. This difference in behaviour provides a simple aid in the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome.

The results confirm that this combined test provides a useful contribution in the diagnosis of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical disorders.
FURTHER EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR THE FORMATION OF THE ACID HYDROLYZABLE CONJUGATE OF ALDOSTERONE BY THE KIDNEY
Authors: Deck K. A. , Siegenthaler W. E.
Published: December 2008

A comparison of the plasma levels of the acid-hydrolyzable conjugate (AHC) of aldosterone in nephrectomized and control dogs as well as the conversion of radioactive aldosterone to radioactive AHC by isolated, perfused dog kidneys have confirmed earlier results which showed that AHC can be formed by the kidneys. After the injection of radioactive aldosterone, however, radioactivity was also found in the AHC fraction in plasma of nephrectomized dogs. A comparison of these values with the plasma levels of radioactive AHC in the controls indicates that in dog the kidneys convert about 5–10 times as much aldosterone to AHC as the rest of the body. Formation of AHC by the kidneys could account for the fact that in liver disease the urinary excretion of this metabolite remains at normal or above normal levels.
TRANSPORT OF ALDOSTERONE AND OF THE ACID LABILE CONJUGATE OF ALDOSTERONE BY TUBULAR CELLS OF THE KIDNEY
Authors: Deck K. A. , Siegenthaler W. E.
Published: December 2008

Stop flow experiments on dogs receiving continuous infusions of radioactive aldosterone were carried out in order to determine the tubular sites of reabsorption of aldosterone and the tubular sites of secretion of its metabolites. Sodium, p-aminohippuric acid, creatinine, inulin, radioactive aldosterone, radioactive tetrahydroaldosterone and the acid-labile (hydrolyzable) conjugate of aldosterone were analyzed in the urine samples collected after the stop periods. The results of the experiments indicate that aldosterone is mainly reabsorbed at a distal tubular site, that the acid-labile conjugate is secreted mainly at a proximal tubular site, and that tetrahydroaldosterone glucuronide is neither secreted nor reabsorbed by tubular cells. Predominant distal reabsorption of aldosterone is suggested as being a possible reason for the predominant distal sodium-retaining effect of this hormone.
MINERALOCORTICOID EXCESS IN TWO BROTHERS WITH DWARFISM, HYPOKALAEMIC ALKALOSIS AND NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE
Authors: Visser H. K. A. , Degenhart H. J. , Desmit E. , Cost W. S.
Published: December 2008

Using isotope dilution methods the secretion rates of cortisol, aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone were determined in two brothers (76/12 and 108/12 years old) with dwarfism, chronic hypokalaemia alkalosis, tendency to hyponatraemia and normal blood pressure. Both patients showed a decreased response of the blood pressure to infused angiotensin.

The urinary excretion of cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone and their tetrahydrometabolites as well as of aldosterone was determined. In general, results were in agreement with those of the secretion rate studies.

The results suggest a relatively small mineralocorticoid excess (mainly corticosterone) to high plasma-renin concentrations. The differences in both the plasma-renin concentrations and the steroid secretory rates during low and high sodium intake indicate that the renin-angiotensin-mineralocorticoid system is still under regular control, although the normal regulatory process is severely disturbed.

The primary defect in these patients is probably not a relative insensitivity of the arterial walls to the pressor effect of angiotensin as suggested by Bartter et al. (1962), but rather a renal tubular defect in the re-absorption of sodium.
IN VITRO METABOLISM OF ANDROGENS IN WHOLE HUMAN BLOOD
Authors: Blaquier Jorge , Forchielli Enrico , Dorfman Ralph I.
Published: December 2008

Radioactive dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, androstenedione, 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol, and 4-androstene-3β,17β-diol have been incubated with whole blood obtained from normal males and females and from subjects with idiopathic hirsutism. The results show that transformations and interconversions of androgens can take place in whole blood and of particular interest is the transformation of the less to the more biologically active androgens. The implications of these transformations and interconversions in the possible role of blood in the control of endocrine homoeostasis is discussed.
METABOLISM OF PREGNANEDIOL IN THE HUMAN FOETO-PLACENTAL UNIT AT MIDPREGNANCY
Authors: Cooke I. D. , Wiqvist N. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

The metabolism of randomly labelled 5β-pregnane-3α,20α-diol-3H in the midterm foeto-placental unit has been investigated in two subjects. Only small amounts of radioactive material were found in the placentas. From this source 3α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one and 5β-pregnane-3α,20α-diol (pregnanediol) were isolated. Relatively large amounts of radioactive material were recovered from the foetal nervous system, but exclusively in the form of pregnanediol. In the other foetal tissues two unconjugated metabolites, 3α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one and 20β-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-3-one were found in addition to large quantities of pregnanediol. Conjugation of pregnanediol took place mostly as a sulphate. In relation to the amount of unconjugated radioactivity, the highest proportion of conjugated material was found in the adrenals. From this source 20α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-3α-yl sulphate was isolated. Labelled 5β-pregnane-3α,20α-diol was also isolated from the urine of the mother.
17β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY IN HUMAN TESTES
Authors: Schoen Edgar J.
Published: December 2008

In vitro 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in testicular tissue from 7 men subjected to orchiectomy for prostatic carcinoma was measured by the conversion rate of androstenedione to testosterone. Prior to orchiectomy, 3 of the patients were untreated: 3 had received stilboestrol. 5 mg daily for one month; 1 had received stilboestrol, 2 mg daily for one month. There was evidence that stilboestrol in a dosage of 5 mg daily for one month prior to orchiectomy led to suppression of testosterone formation from androstenedione. 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity could be demonstrated in small quantities of testicular homogenate, and thus offers an additional technique for assessing testicular androgenic function in man.
DIE TESTOSTERONAUSSCHEIDUNG BEIM CHROMATINPOSITIVEN KLINEFELTER SYNDROM IM KINDES- UND JUGENDALTER
Authors: Knorr D. , Mürset G. , Prader A. , Tolksdorf M. , Wiedemann H. R.
Published: December 2008

The urinary testosterone excretion, using the method of Vermeulen & Verplancke (1963) was determined in 16 patients with typical Klinefeltersyndrome and in one patient with a chromosomal status of 44/XXYY

Values of the testosterone excretion during the prepuberal period are within the normal range, after onset of puberty they are in the lownormal range or below the normal range.

The testosterone values do not correlate with the size of testes.
EFFECT OF UREA ON THE INACTIVATION OF ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE BY THE INNER MEDULLA OF THE RAT KIDNEY IN VITRO
Authors: Thorn N. A. , Willumsen N. B. S.
Published: December 2008

Inactivation of antidiuretic hormone by slices and homogenate from rat kidney inner medulla was inhibited during a 2 hour exposure to urea in concentrations over 0.5 M. Guanidine and thiourea in equimolar concentrations had an inhibitory effect which was 2 and 1.6 times more marked, respectively, than that of urea. The possible implications of these findings for the function of the concentrating mechanism of the kidneys during different states of hydration are discussed.
IN VITRO STUDIES OF THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR VASOPRESSIN IN RATS.
Authors: Bie P. , Thorn N. A.
Published: December 2008

Isolated pieces of rat hypothalamus containing the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, respectively, did not release vasopressin when incubated in a medium with a high potassium concentration, or in media containing acetylcholine, noradrenaline or sodium chloride in a hypertonic concentration. The average vasopressor activity that could be extracted from the supraoptic region was equivalent to 8 milli-units of vasopressin per 100 g rat, whereas extract of the paraventricular region contained little pressor activity.

The results seem to be in accordance with the hypothesis that the first precursor(s) of vasopressin is synthesized predominantly in the supraoptic nucleus and that the neurosecretory granules go through a »maturation« process during their passage from the hypothalamus to nerve endings in the neurohypophysis. Not until they reach the nerve endings do they contribute to the formation of the pool from which the hormone may be easily mobilized.