bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A STUDY OF FERTILIZATION IN THE RABBIT: THE EFFECT OF POST-COITAL LIGATION OF THE FALLOPIAN TUBE OR UTERINE HORN
Authors: ADAMS C. E.
Published: December 2008

A study was made of the effect of ligating the Fallopian tube or uterine horn near the tubouterine junction at specific time intervals after mating (½–6 hr) on fertilization in superovulated rabbits. A total of 140 does were used and altogether 2630 eggs were studied. Observations were made on the does' response to gonadotrophin treatment; the rate of egg development; the occurrence of abnormal eggs; the number of spermatozoa in fertilized eggs; the transfer of fertilized eggs to recipient does and the length of the female genital tract. Rabbit semen was collected by means of an improved type of artificial vagina.

The main results following ligation were as follows: when one Fallopian tube was ligated at the time intervals stated in parentheses, the mean proportion of eggs fertilized was 1·6% (1¼ hr), 8·8% (1¾ hr), 12·9% (2 hr), 16·1% (2¼ hr), 29·8% (2½ hr), 59·5% (2¾ hr), 85·9% (3 hr), 38·4% (3¼ hr), 73·7% (3½ hr), 50% (4 hr), 96·4% (5 hr) and 100% (6 hr). Out of a total of 1006 eggs from non-ligated (control) Fallopian tubes, 95·5% were fertilized. Following ligation of one uterine horn 30 min, 1 hr or 2 hr after mating, 9·1, 38·7 and 55·2%, respectively, of the eggs were fertilized.

It is concluded that although some spermatozoa may reach the tubo-uterine junction soon after mating, 2–5 hr are required before the number of spermatozoa entering the Fallopian tube is sufficiently high to produce maximum fertilization.
THE NUMBERS OF OOCYTES IN OVARIAN AUTOGRAFTS AFTER FREEZING AND THAWING
Authors: GREEN S. H. , SMITH AUDREY U. , ZUCKERMAN S.
Published: December 2008

The numbers of oocytes in ovarian autografts frozen at very low temperatures have been compared with those in autografts which, before implantation, had been maintained at room temperature. Ninety mature female rats were used in this study, litter-mates being divided between the two series of experiments. The tissue was placed in 15% glycerol-saline for an hour before implantation. Far fewer oocytes were present in the grafts that had been frozen than in those that had been kept at room temperature, in which the numbers were also very much reduced. The numbers of oocytes in both sets of animals varied independently of the time the grafts had persisted. This result does not lend itself to the conclusion that reformation of oocytes had taken place.
THE INFLUENCE OF GROWTH HORMONE ON THE NUCLEIC ACID CONTENT OF RAT LIVER AND MUSCLE
Authors: GRAY BARBARA J.
Published: December 2008

Adult female rats were treated with purified pituitary growth hormone for 9 days, and the nucleic acid content of the liver and skeletal muscle determined.

An increase was observed in the concentration of muscle ribonucleic acid, expressed per gram of nitrogen, as a result of the treatment. There were no changes in the ribonucleic acid concentration of liver.

No changes were observed in the concentration of deoxyribonucleic acid in muscle or liver.
THE INNERVATION OF THE ADENOHYPOPHYSIS IN THE DUCK
Authors: METUZALS J.
Published: December 2008

The innervation of the adenohypophysis in the duck has been investigated by means of the Bielschowsky-Gros technique.

An autonomic nervous formation, termed the plexus hypophyseus, is present in the connective tissue surrounding the pituitary and in all parts of the gland itself. This formation is composed of large strands of nerve fibres with ganglion cells and of delicate ones belonging to the autonomic end-formation—the sympathetic ground-plexus (Boeke). The sympathetic ground-plexus is a part of the plexus hypophyseus and extends from the capsule of the pituitary into the pars distalis, pars tuberalis and neural lobe.

Small ganglia, distributed through the strands of the plexus hypophyseus and termed ganglia hypophysea, are situated immediately adjacent to the parenchyma of the pars distalis. Small ganglion cells are also present in the pars distalis and pars tuberalis.

In addition, a dense nervous secreto-motor end-plexus, specifically innervating the gland cells of the pars distalis, is described and its possible functional significance discussed. The origin of the nerve fibres of this end-plexus is not established.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SURVIVAL OF OVARIAN HOMOGRAFTS IN RATS
Authors: INGRAM D. L. , KROHN P. L.
Published: December 2008

A study of the behaviour of ovarian homografts in the rat has confirmed the view that both genetic diversity and spaying may influence the chances that a graft will survive for a given length of time (21 days). The injection of pregnant mares' serum (PMS) into mock-operated animals is as effective as ovariectomy in promoting the survival of grafts; and the injection of oestrogen into spayed animals does not hinder and may actually improve the chances that a graft will survive. Cortisone is also effective in promoting the survival of ovarian grafts.

It is suggested that the reaction to ovarian homografts is not qualitatively different from that to other tissues, but that its rate of progress may be modified by the response of the pituitary and adrenals to the grafting of another endocrine tissue.
IMPLANTATION IN ARMADILLOS OVARIECTOMIZED DURING THE PERIOD OF DELAYED IMPLANTATION
Authors: BUCHANAN G. D. , ENDERS A. C. , TALMAGE R. V.
Published: December 2008

The effect of ovariectomy during delayed implantation on the fate of the free blastocyst has been studied in the armadillo. If bilateral ovariectomy is performed about the middle of the 4-month delay period, implantation occurs 30–34 days later and is indistinguishable from normal implantation. In animals ovariectomized toward the end of the delay period, implantation occurs at the time when normal implantation would have been expected, which is less than 30 days postoperatively. However, resorption or abortion follows shortly thereafter. Removal of the corpus luteum towards the end of the delay period for the most part results in loss of the blastocyst and non-implantation. Removing the corpus luteum in early gestation causes loss of the embryos, but no effect was observed following loss of the corpus luteum in animals past approximately the first third of gestation. A possible explanation of the findings is discussed.
URINARY METABOLIC PRODUCTS OF PREDNISONE AND PREDNISOLONE
Authors: GRAY C. H. , GREEN MARGARET A. S. , HOLNESS N. J. , LUNNON J. BARBARA
Published: December 2008

The steroids excreted by patients receiving oral prednisone and oral prednisolone have been investigated. The two compounds present in largest amount were isolated and identified as prednisone and prednisolone. Present in smaller amounts were the corresponding 20β-alcohols. A fifth compound had properties suggestive of pregna-1:4-dien-17α:20α:21-triol-3:11-dione. There is no evidence that prednisone and prednisolone are converted in the body to cortisol, cortisone, or their derivatives, and the investigations suggest that prednisone is metabolized in part by reduction of its 11-ketone group to a 11-hydroxy group and prednisolone by oxidation of its 11-OH group to an 11-ketone group. These two compounds are thus metabolically inter-convertible. Reduction of the 20-ketone group can occur in both compounds.
THE EFFECT OF PRE-OPERATIVE TREATMENT WITH ACTH ON THE REACTION TO SKIN HOMOGRAFTS IN RABBITS
Authors: KROHN P. L.
Published: December 2008

1. The survival of skin homografts in rabbits may be prolonged by treatment with ACTH which begins 25–28 days before, and continues after operation.

2. A flocculant zinc chloride preparation was more active, for equal i.u., than a gelatin preparation.

3. It is suggested that the main secretion of the rabbit's adrenal changes from corticosterone to hydrocortisone when ACTH is administered for long periods.
THE EXCRETION OF URINARY ADRENOCORTICAL STEROIDS DURING HEAT STRESS
Authors: HELLMANN K. , COLLINS K. J. , GRAY C. H. , JONES R. M. , LUNNON J. BARBARA , WEINER J. S.
Published: December 2008

The output of urinary adrenocorticoids has been studied in man before, during and immediately after exposure to high environmental temperatures. The results indicate that while there was no significant change in the excretion of 17-hydroxycorticoids, cortisone and cortisol or of tetrahydrocortisone and tetrahydrocortisol there was a significant increase in the output of aldosterone.
HISTOLOGY AND FUNCTION OF THE DEVELOPING FOETAL THYROID IN NORMAL AND GOITROUS GUINEA-PIGS
Authors: LOGOTHETOPOULOS J. , SCOTT R. F.
Published: December 2008

A histological and functional study was made of the thyroids of foetal guinea-pigs rendered goitrous by the administration of propylthiouracil (PT) to the mothers.

1. The thyroids of 30-day-old foetal guinea-pigs from PT-treated mothers were of the same weight and histological appearance as the glands of control foetuses.

2. Increased thyroid weight, loss of colloid and increased cell height were well marked in 36-day-old foetuses from treated animals.

3. The growth rate of foetal goitres was many times greater than that of corresponding maternal goitres as judged by thyroid weights and number of mitoses in 43- and 60-day-old foetuses. Expansion and folding of the follicular walls rather than increased follicle formation characterized the foetal goitres.

4. The ratios of thyroid/plasma inorganic 131I (T/Pl ratios) in 36-day-old normal and goitrous foetuses were of the same order of magnitude as found in adult animals. No significant difference was found between the T/Pl ratios of normal and goitrous foetuses and normal and goitrous pregnant animals.

5. Positive autoradiographs were obtained in 28-day-old normal foetuses and onwards. Individual thyroid uptakes (of 131I) of normal 60-day-old foetuses exceeded maternal uptakes. Goitrous foetuses showed a 'rebound' high uptake 3 days after the withdrawal of PT from the mother.

6. Untreated guinea-pigs born to mothers treated with PT were found to have true colloid goitres at ages of 4 and 8 months. Thyroid weight and average follicle size were bigger, average follicle cell height smaller than in control animals of the same ages. 131I uptakes were equal.
THE EFFECTS OF ADRENOCORTICAL HORMONES, ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE AND PREGNANCY ON SKIN TRANSPLANTATION IMMUNITY IN MICE
Authors: MEDAWAR P. B. , SPARROW ELIZABETH M.
Published: December 2008

The median survival time of skin homografts on A or CBA mice is prolonged 50% by the injection of cortisone acetate 0·4 mg/day. Cortisol is as effective as cortisone; corticosterone, progesterone, testosterone, and oestradiol are ineffective, though corticosterone is more 'cortisonelike' in its action than the others. Deoxycorticosterone neither shortens the life of skin homografts nor interferes with the power of cortisone to prolong it. The injection of cortisone does not prevent a pre-existing state of transplantation immunity from taking effect. The action of cortisone is attributed partly to preventing the access of antigenic matter to regional lymph nodes and partly to an effect on the regional nodes themselves.

The injection of 1 mg/day adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in a slow-absorption medium has effects indistinguishable from the injection of 0·4 mg/day cortisone acetate. ACTH is ineffective in adrenalectomized mice, not excepting females whose ovaries have been luteinized by prior administration of chorionic gonadotrophin, and is not less effective in ovariectomized female mice than in normal. Female mice are slightly less responsive to cortisone and ACTH than males. Adrenalectomy as such does not influence the survival time of homografts, but causes them to become more strongly united to the graft bed and to elicit a brisker mesenchymal reaction.

Transplantation immunity is not weakened by pregnancy in mice. Repeated heterospecific pregnancies neither elicit transplantation immunity nor weaken a state of immunity that is already in being. For reasons unconnected with pregnancy or parity, elderly female A-line mice react against homografts more feebly than CBA females of the same age.

Species differences in the responses of animals to cortisone and ACTH are interpreted in terms of the composition of cortical secretions and the sensitivity of tissues to their action.
THE MELANOPHORE-EXPANDING AND CORTICOTROPHIC ACTIVITY OF HUMAN PITUITARY TISSUE
Authors: MORRIS C. J. O. R. , RUSSELL DOROTHY S. , LANDGREBE F. W. , MITCHELL G. M.
Published: December 2008

Three regions of the human pituitary, viz. (1) anterior lobe, (2) posterior lobe, and (3) intermediate zone (areas of 'basophil cell invasion') in the posterior lobe have been separately assayed for 'B' and corticotrophin in four specimens.

The anterior lobe gave the highest levels for both hormones, the posterior lobe contained little of either, while the intermediate zone (of 'basophil cell invasion') yielded some corticotrophin but significantly high levels of 'B'.

It is suggested that 'B' may be secreted by the δ cells and corticotrophin by the β cells of the human pituitary.
THE PRESENCE OF NON-MYELINATED NERVE FIBRES IN THE PARS DISTALIS OF THE PITUITARY GLAND OF THE FERRET
Authors: SMITH R. N.
Published: December 2008

The innervation of the ferret's pituitary gland has been studied by means of a modification of Ranson's pyridine-silver technique.

Non-myelinated nerve fibres of characteristic appearance are present in the pars distalis. The number of these fibres is small, but their paucity may be accounted for by the varying depth of impregnation achieved. Structures resembling end-organs within the pars distalis are also described.
THE EFFECT OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIN ON THE MAMMARY GLANDS OF INTACT MATURE FEMALE MICE OF THE CHI STRAIN
Authors: FLUX D. S. , MUNFORD R. E.
Published: December 2008

Intact mature virgin female mice of the CHI strain treated with ACTH showed no change in total mammary gland area or in the degree of branching of the mammary duct systems. Their ovaries were larger than those of control mice. Similar mice treated with ACTH in a further experiment showed more large corpora lutea in the ovaries than did control mice.
ANTIDIURETIC SUBSTANCE (ADS) IN NORMAL PREGNANCY AND PRE-ECLAMPTIC TOXAEMIA
Authors: HAWKER R. W.
Published: December 2008

1. Samples of plasma and serum from healthy non-pregnant women, from normal gravidae and from patients with pre-eclamptic toxaemia have been tested for antidiuretic activity by means of the method described by Jeffers, Livezey & Austin [1942].

2. An antidiuretic substance (ADS) is present in normal pregnancy serum, and in pre-eclamptic plasma and serum. ADS was not detected in non-pregnant serum or plasma or in normal pregnancy plasma.

3. Normal pregnancy plasma contains a substance which inactivates both vasopressin and the ADS present in normal pregnancy serum and in pre-eclamptic plasma. This inactivator was not demonstrated in non-pregnant plasma.

4. Vasopressin and ADS are inactivated both by thioglycollic acid and normal pregnancy plasma.

5. The antidiuretic activity of normal pregnancy serum is not attributable to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT).
CARBONIC ANHYDRASE IN THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT. II. ENDOMETRIAL CARBONIC ANHYDRASE AS INDICATOR OF LUTEOID POTENCY: CORRELATION WITH PROGESTATIONAL PROLIFERATION
Authors: LUTWAK-MANN CECILIA , ADAMS C. E.
Published: December 2008

In an attempt to establish the measurement of uterine carbonic anhydrase activity as a quantitative test for progestationally active substances, the activity of carbonic anhydrase in the rabbit endometrium has been correlated with the conventional histological method of assaying progestational activity. The following steroids have been tested in this manner with special regard to the duration of their effect: (a) progesterone, deoxycorticosterone (DC), deoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA), 3-acetoxy-pregna-3,5-diene-20-one, 17α-hydroxy-progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (Delalutin); (b) 17α-ethinyl-19-nortestosterone, 17β-acetoxy-isoprogesterone, 3α-hydroxy-pregnane-12:20-dione, 12α-hydroxy-pregnane-3:20-dione, pregnane-3:12:20-trione, 2β-acetoxy-progesterone, 2 α-acetoxyprogesterone, pregna-5-ene-20-one.

The action of DCA was weak and transient; that of progesterone and 3-acetoxy-pregna-3,5-diene-20-one was marked but of limited duration; Delalutin was powerful as well as sustained; DC and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone failed to produce true progestational changes.

Ethinyl-19-nor-testosterone was the only steroid in group (b) endowed with progestational potency.

Stilboestrol (2 mg) administered a day before or simultaneously with DCA (16 mg), progesterone (4 mg) or Delalutin (2 mg), suppressed the endometrial response for 5 days but did not interfere with the late (8-day) progestational effect of the long-acting progestogen Delalutin.

Small doses of purified FSH induced a few ovulations in the rabbit when injected intravenously, the endometrium showed some proliferative changes by bioassay but the activity of carbonic anhydrase was not appreciably increased. Subcutaneous injections had no effect.

When progesterone was administered subcutaneously with FSH its effect was curtailed.

With few exceptions, there was satisfactory agreement between the enzymic and histological method of determining progestational activity.
THE ADRENAL CIRCULATION IN THE RABBIT
Authors: HARRISON R. G.
Published: December 2008

1. 1·5 hr after intramuscular injection of adrenaline there is pronounced filling of adrenocortical vessels in the rabbit. Adrenaline tartrate is more effective than adrenaline hydrochloride, and a second injection hastens the onset of the vascular change.

2. The filling of the cortical capillaries is effected by constriction of the arteriae medullae, thus diverting blood into other cortical vessels. It is independent of the hypothalamus and hypophysis cerebri, and no change in adrenocortical vascularization is produced by ACTH.

3. Histamine also produces filling of adrenocortical vessels.
THE HISTOLOGY OF THE ADRENAL GLAND OF THE PROTOTHERIA
Authors: WRIGHT A. , JONES I. CHESTER , PHILLIPS J. G.
Published: December 2008

The histology of freshly fixed adrenal glands of Ornithorhynchus and of Tachyglossus has been investigated.

In the adrenals of both species the bulk of the chromaffin tissue was found to occur at one pole, the lower or caudal part of the gland. The adrenal cortex of Ornithorhynchus has a complicated histological appearance and comprises three main types of tissues, designated groups I-III. The major portion of the cortex was made up of groups II and III tissues which were in contiguous patches associated with blood vessels. Group I tissue was confined, for the most part, to a layer of cells lying against the chromaffin tissue. Group III tissue consisted of big cells with large nuclei which frequently contained prominent globules or vacuoles. It is possible that group III represents the secreting part of the cortex and group II the formative layer.

In Tachyglossus, the cortex had a more homogeneous appearance and was more akin to that of reptiles. There was, however, some gradation of cell types. The peripheral cells had plentiful cytoplasm with faintly basophilic nuclei, while centripetally the cells were closely packed and the nuclei densely stained.
QUALITATIVE DIFFERENCES IN GONADOTROPHIC EXTRACTS FROM URINE OF POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Authors: WALTER K.
Published: December 2008

1. A gonadotrophic preparation made from post-menopausal human urine with tannic acid had more activity on the mouse uterus than would be predicted from the results of the test on the prostate of the hypophysectomized rat.

2. In one experiment, when gonadotrophic principles were adsorbed on kaolin at pH 6 from a very concentrated solution of post-menopausal gonadotrophin in distilled water, even larger quantitative differences were found in the results of these two tests.

3. There was no significant deviation of the dose-response curves from parallelism in either test.

4. The data suggest that there is more than one gonadotrophin in post-menopausal urine.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE SURVIVAL OF THE ADRENAL MEDULLA AND ASSOCIATED CORTICAL CELLS IN THE ANTERIOR CHAMBER OF THE RABBIT'S EYE
Authors: COUPLAND R. E.
Published: December 2008

Pieces of adrenal medulla, together with inner zone cortical cells, were inserted into the anterior chamber of the rabbit's eye in eighty-four instances. Care was taken to exclude the outer parts of the adrenal cortex. Both chromaffin and cortical cells were vascularized by the iris and persisted in the eye for many months in spite of the presence of the whole or part of the right adrenal gland. Partial removal of the right adrenal gland was followed by a proliferation of the cortical elements of the graft. ACTH injections (5 mg twice daily for 21 days) did not induce cellular proliferation. The findings indicate that adrenocortical cells will persist in a graft and proliferate in spite of the presence of abdominal adrenocortical tissue and that the inner zone cells of the rabbit's adrenal can be successfully grafted and are capable of proliferating in response to a partial removal of the remaining normal adrenal cortex.
COMPARISON OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL ESTIMATIONS OF URINARY OESTROGENS
Authors: BULBROOK R. D. , GREENWOOD F. C. , WILLIAMS P. C.
Published: December 2008

The oestrogenic activity of the phenolic fraction of human urine has been measured by its effect on vaginal smears from spayed mice and compared with that of its contained oestrone, oestradiol-17β, and oestriol as determined chemically by the method of Brown [1955].

Eleven urine samples, collected from normal women during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy and after the menopause, from normal men and from a eunuch have been tested. In all but one of the samples there was satisfactory agreement between the biological and chemical results. It is concluded that the chemical method adequately measures the oestrogenic activity in the phenolic extract of normal urine.
THE EFFECT OF PITUITARY GROWTH HORMONE ON THE LEVEL AND TURNOVER OF NUCLEIC ACIDS AND PHOSPHOLIPIDS OF THE RAT'S LIVER
Authors: GREENBAUM A. L. , GRAYMORE C. N. , SLATER T. F.
Published: December 2008

The levels of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), phospholipid and phosphoprotein and the turnover rates of DNA, nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA, and phospholipid, have been studied in the livers of rats treated with growth hormone for 12 hr or 3 days.

There was no change in either the level or turnover of DNA. After a lag phase the level of RNA rose some 30% above control level and similar rises were noted in the turnover rate. The phospholipid content and turnover also increased as a result of the hormone treatment. There was a fall in the level of the phosphoprotein fraction.

These results are discussed in relation to the increased rate of protein synthesis found in growth hormone-treated rats.
THE GROWTH-STIMULATING EFFECT OF GROWTH HORMONE AND l-THYROXINE ON THE MAMMARY GLANDS AND UTERUS OF THE MOUSE
Authors: FLUX D. S.
Published: December 2008

Ovariectomized mice, treated with a preparation of growth hormone (GH) containing thyrotrophic hormone (TSH), showed increased mammary duct growth and increased uterine weight. The effect of the amount of GH used was similar in mice treated either with or without oestrone. Similar mice, treated with l-thyroxine, showed increased uterine weight but no significant effect on mammary duct growth.

It appears that TSH may have been responsible for the effect of GH on uterine weight but not for its effect on mammary duct growth.
THE URINARY EXCRETION OF 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS IN HUMAN PREGNANCY
Authors: APPLEBY JOAN I. , NORYMBERSKI J. K.
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OH CS) and of one of their subgroups—the 21-deoxyketols (17-hydroxy-20-oxopregnanes)—has been measured in the course (5th to 10th lunar month) of human pregnancy. In twenty-six cases with a normal course of pregnancy the average excretion of 17-OH CS rose slowly to values 40% above the normal average. An additional sharp increase occurred following parturition, but 1 day later the urinary levels returned to normal. The average excretion of 21-deoxyketols rose more steeply to values 800% above the normal average and returned to normal 2 days after delivery.

Following intrauterine death (five cases) the excretion of 17-OH CS and of 21-deoxyketols returned to normal values. No such drastic change was found in three cases of stillbirth and in four cases of toxaemia.

The significance of these findings is discussed. It is suggested that in pregnancy (i) the urinary excretion of the main metabolites of cortisol is essentially unchanged, while the excretion of 21-deoxycorticosteroids of unknown origin is greatly increased; (ii) 21-deoxyketols are unlikely to derive from cortisol; (iii) the high plasma levels of cortisol indicate that the compound is metabolized at a reduced rate rather than that the activity of the adrenal cortex is enhanced.
THE NUMBER OF OOCYTES IN OVARIAN AUTOGRAFTS
Authors: GREEN S. H.
Published: December 2008

The numbers of oocytes in ovarian autografts placed in normal saline have been compared with those in autografts placed in 15% glycerol in normal saline, eighty-eight mature rats being used in two sets of experiments. In both series the oocytes were very much reduced in number, but statistical analysis failed to reveal any significant differences. The interval before oestrous cycles reappeared was, however, significantly different.
STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF SEX HORMONES ON THE AVIAN LIVER
Authors: CAMPBELL J. G.
Published: December 2008

1. A modified method of determining the avian liver clearance of intravenously administered sodium bromosulphthalein (BSP) is described.

2. Using this test, a sexual difference has been observed in the clearance gradients over the periods 5–10 and 10–15 min after injection of BSP. This appears to be determined by sex hormones, in that males caponized by stilboestrol possess a female type of clearance.

3. Surgically caponized birds appear to occupy an anomalous position which can be variously interpreted as showing female or male trends, according to the particular clearance gradients selected. Androgen, however, causes a clear reversion to the male type of excretion.

4. High initial BSP concentrations in the plasma of certain females have been correlated with a relatively smaller blood volume in proportion to body weight increase.
INDUCTION OF SUPEROVULATION AND PREGNANCY IN MATURE MICE BY GONADOTROPHINS
Authors: FOWLER RUTH E. , EDWARDS R. G.
Published: December 2008

1. The injection of 1 i.u. pregnant mares' serum (PMS) followed after 40 hr by 2 i.u. human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), or of 3 i.u. PMS followed by 3 i.u. HCG into mature female mice selected at random with regard to their oestrous cycle induces oestrus and mating in approximately 75%, and ovulation in 99% of them.

2. The induction of superovulation depends on the amount of PMS injected and on the strain of mice used.

3. Two types of egg are ovulated, one being normal and with a cumulus, the other degenerated and without cumulus. 93% of the normal eggs were fertilized and 98% of the pronucleate eggs possessed two pronuclei.

4. Approximately three-quarters of the females which mate in response to the injected gonadotrophins become pregnant, although this number was less than the number becoming pregnant after mating during natural oestrus. Many of the treated females carried their embryos to term and some gave birth to large litters, although resorptions, irregular distribution of embryos in the uterus, and difficulty during parturition occurred in some females. Mean litter size of the treated females was similar to that found after natural mating.

5. After more than one treatment with gonadotrophins, fewer females mated, ovulated, and became pregnant than after the first treatment. This reduction in response may have been due to the greater age of the females or to their decreased sensitivity to the hormones.

6. The value of the method as a technique for inducing oestrus, ovulation, and pregnancy in mature female mice is considered.
INSEMINATION OF THE GUINEA-PIG BY INTRAPERITONEAL INJECTION
Authors: ROWLANDS I. W.
Published: December 2008

Intraperitoneal injection has been shown to be a method of insemination which produces a high conception rate in guinea-pigs. The proportion that become pregnant increases from 0 to 100% by raising the number of spermatozoa inseminated over the comparatively narrow range of 3·0 × 107-5·0 × 107. The conception rate is high in animals inseminated between 0 and 16 hr after the end of oestrus; all animals (17) inseminated with more than 5·0 × 107 spermatozoa during the first half of this period became pregnant. The incidence of pregnancy is very low in animals inseminated intraperitoneally during oestrus and at 18 hr or more after oestrus. The temporal relation between successful insemination and ovulation is the reverse of that obtaining in mated animals or after intravaginal insemination [Blandau & Young, 1939]. Fertility, determined by an estimate of the fertilization rate, by the number of foetuses in utero and the rate of foetal development is similar to that following mating. Reasons for the failure of fertilization in animals intraperitoneally inseminated during oestrus are discussed.
THE EFFECT OF OXYTOCIN ON MAMMARY GLAND INVOLUTION IN THE RAT
Authors: BENSON G. K. , FOLLEY S. J.
Published: December 2008

The involution of the mammary glands of lactating rats, which normally follows the cessation of suckling, was greatly retarded over a period of 9 days by administering oxytocin to the mothers, following removal of the litters on the 4th day of lactation. This effect was obtained with a commercial extract of the natural hormone, the same extract without preservative (benzethonium chloride), and with synthetic oxytocin. Vasopressin administered under the same conditions had a less well-marked effect. No retardation of mammary involution could be obtained with oxytocin in the absence of the anterior pituitary gland.

Similar results were obtained by administering prolactin to the mothers, but growth hormone (GH) had only a slight effect in maintaining the mammary glands. When both prolactin and GH were given, the maintenance of gland structure was particularly marked.

A majority of the animals receiving synthetic oxytocin showed vaginal mucification which is taken to be indicative of the presence of a luteotrophic hormone (prolactin).

These results are discussed in relation to the possible role of oxytocin in the release of prolactin and other lactogenic and galactopoietic hormones from the anterior lobe.
NOTE ON THE EFFECTS OF THYROIDECTOMY AND THYROID HORMONE ADMINISTRATION ON THE CONCENTRATION OF BILE CHOLESTEROL AND CHOLIC ACID
Authors: VAN ZYL A.
Published: December 2008

The diminished cholesterol concentration in bile obtained after thyroidectomy, previously demonstrated by Rosenman, Friedman & Byers [1951], has been confirmed, but an increased concentration after chronic administration of triiodothyronine (T3) or triiodothyroacetic acid (TA3) could not be demonstrated.

The blood and bile cholesterol concentrations were not affected by large single doses of T3 or TA3.

Secretion of biliary cholic acid was reduced after thyroidectomy and by prolonged administration of T3 or TA3.

A low iodine diet had the same effect as thyroidectomy on the concentrations of bile cholesterol and cholic acid.
THE CLEARANCE OF VASOPRESSIN FROM THE SPLANCHNIC VASCULAR AREA AND THE KIDNEYS
Authors: GINSBURG M.
Published: December 2008

The recoveries from portal blood of Pitressin and Azovan blue injected into the superior mesenteric artery in neurohypophysectomized rats were determined. The ratio of the recoveries of Pitressin and Azovan blue was 1·00±0·15. In rats with intact neurohypophyses and anaesthetized with urethane, the concentration of antidiuretic hormone in arterial blood was not different from that in portal blood. It is therefore concluded that vasopressin and endogenous antidiuretic hormone are not cleared rapidly from the circulation in the intestines. The pressor responses to 20 mu. Pitressin given intraportally were smaller than those obtained with 10 mu. given intravenously, suggesting rapid clearance of Pitressin from the circulation in the liver.

A technique is described for determining the renal clearance of test substances infused intravenously into conscious rats followed by sampling of the arterial blood. In six rats the urinary clearance of Pitressin was 1·24±0·06 times the clearance of inulin. In two rats in which urine flow was unusually low, clearance of Pitressin was respectively 0·161 and 0·325 times the inulin clearance. It is calculated that the rate of clearance of Pitressin from the circulation in conscious rats corresponds to a half-life of 42 sec.
THE EFFECT OF OESTRONE ON THE MAMMARY GLAND OF ADRENALECTOMIZED GUINEA-PIGS
Authors: HÖHN E. O.
Published: December 2008

In the guinea-pig progesterone is not required for alveolar development of the mammary gland. In order to test the hypothesis that this can be accounted for by endogenous progesterone produced by the adrenal cortex in this species, the growth response of the mammary gland to oestrone of adrenalectomized castrated male guinea-pigs has been studied.

Oestrone applied to the nipples as an alcoholic solution in doses of 15 μg/day for 14 days resulted in the formation of clusters of mammary alveoli in animals subjected merely to castration. In eleven castrated and adrenalectomized animals which survived oestrone treatment for periods of 11–28 days only duct proliferation with occasional formation of isolated alveoli was observed. Nipple growth in response to oestrone, as indicated by changes in nipple length, was much the same in both groups.

Administration of oestrone to adrenalectomized animals was found to be toxic. The average survival of oestrone-treated, adrenalectomized castrated animals was only 4 days, compared with an average survival period of 16·6 days in similar animals not treated with oestrone.
PREVENTION OF VITAMIN A OVERDOSAGE BY SOMATOTROPHIC HORMONE
Authors: SELYE H.
Published: December 2008

Experiments on albino rats indicate that the intense osteoclastic bone absorption that is normally produced by vitamin A overdosage can be prevented by suitable treatment with somatotrophic hormone (STH). Although luteotrophic hormone (LTH) shares several of the actions characteristic of STH, it cannot substitute for the latter hormone in counteracting the effect of vitamin A intoxication.
THE METABOLIC EFFECTS OF A NEW SUBSTITUTED STEROID, 2-METHYL-9-α-FLUOROHYDRO-CORTISONE, IN MAN
Authors: GURLING K. J. , GORE MARION B. R. , BARON D. N.
Published: December 2008

2-Methyl-9α-fluorohydrocortisone has potent mineralocorticoid and adrenocortical-suppressing activity.

A single oral dose of 0·1 mg lowered the urinary Na/K ratio, causing Na retention and K loss. There was an eosinophilia and a fall in plasma 17-hydroxycorticoids and in urinary 17-oxosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticoids. These effects lasted 24–36 hr, after which time there was a Na diuresis and the values returned to normal.

Doses of 0·3 mg, repeated for 3 days, enhanced these effects, with accompanying oedema and hypokalaemia. No significant effects on carbohydrate or protein metabolism were observed.

The dangers and possible uses of the compound are discussed.
QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF HAIR GROWTH IN THE ALBINO RAT
Authors: JOHNSON ELIZABETH
Published: December 2008

1. Spaying of female rats aged 7 weeks accelerated the passage of the second wave of hair growth. Longer hairs were produced as a result of faster growth, and the rate of loss of dead or 'club' hairs [cf. Johnson, 1958] was increased.

2. Oestradiol implanted into spayed females delayed the initiation and passage of the wave. Shorter hairs were produced by a reduced rate of growth, and loss of club hairs was inhibited.

3. Castration of male rats aged 7 weeks accelerated the passage of the second wave of growth, and implantation of testosterone slowed it down. Testosterone had no effect on the definitive length of hair produced or on the rate at which club hairs were lost.

4. Oestradiol implanted into castrated males produced the same effects as in spayed females except that it had no effect on the time of initiation of the wave.

5. Combined implantation of testosterone with oestradiol into castrated males did not off-set the inhibitory effects of the oestradiol on hair length or rate of loss of club hairs, but may have slightly speeded the hair wave.
QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF HAIR GROWTH IN THE ALBINO RAT
Authors: JOHNSON ELIZABETH
Published: December 2008

1. Adrenalectomy 2 weeks before the start of the second wave of hair growth advanced the beginning of the wave in female rats, and speeded its passage over the body in both males and females. The rate of loss of club hairs was slightly accelerated, but there was no effect on the definitive length of hair produced.

2. Adrenalectomy after the wave of hair growth had begun was less effective.

3. ACTH did not affect the time at which the wave of hair growth began but delayed its passage. ACTH had no effect on the loss of club hairs nor on the definitive length of hair produced.

4. Implantation of oestradiol retarded the start and rate of passage of the wave, and the loss of club hairs in both spayed and spayed adrenalectomized animals. Oestradiol must therefore have some action which is independent of the adrenals. Nevertheless, inhibitory effects of oestradiol on these aspects of hair growth were enhanced by the presence of the adrenals. The action of oestradiol in reducing the rate of hair growth was, on the other hand, unaffected by the presence or absence of the adrenals.

5. Adrenal hormones delay the passage of the growth wave to a greater extent than ovarian hormones, but they have no effect on the rate of hair growth, and, compared with ovarian hormones, affect the loss of club hairs only slightly. It is therefore suggested that these three main phases of hair growth may be controlled by mechanisms which are at least partially independent.
PROGESTERONE IN BLOOD
Authors: SHORT R. V.
Published: December 2008

A method is described for the chemical determination of progesterone in the peripheral venous blood of women, horses, cattle, sheep and pigs. The recovery rate of progesterone added to human plasma is 73 ± 4% (s.e.); in the cow, the recovery rate is 63 ± 1·9% (s.e.). In pregnant women approximately 25 ml. of plasma is sufficient for an assay, but in domestic animals the blood concentration of progesterone is much lower and a 500 ml. sample of plasma is usually required.

The method has been used for the determination of blood progesterone levels in both pregnant and non-pregnant domestic animals. In women progesterone has been detected as early as the 10th week of pregnancy, and preliminary results in pregnant cattle are given in the following paper [Short, 1958].

In addition, the method allows the simultaneous determination of two other related compounds found in peripheral blood: 20α- and 20β-hydroxypregn-4-en-3one.

The method is suitable for routine laboratory determinations; results can be obtained within 24 hr of receipt of a blood sample, and it is possible to carry out a number of assays in 1 day.

If small amounts of progesterone are incubated with whole ox blood at 37° C, there is a slow transformation (half-life approximately 7 hr) to 20β-hydroxypregn-4-en-3one.
A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF THE LACTATING MOUSE
Authors: GREENWALD G. S.
Published: December 2008

The histology of the reproductive tract of the lactating mouse is described.

During the first 11 days post partum, the largest vesicular follicles are 350μ in diameter, the corpora lutea of pregnancy are larger than the corpora lutea of lactation, and the vagina has a two-layered epithelium. Significant changes occur after 12 days post partum: the size of the follicles in most animals increases to 400–450μ, the corpora lutea of lactation are larger than the old set, and the vagina becomes mucified.

This suggests that lactation in the mouse is divided into two periods: the first in which progesterone and negligible amounts of oestrogen are present lasts until the 11th day. This is followed by a period of increasing levels of oestrogen and a gradual subsidence in that of progesterone.

A hypothesis is proposed to account for the morphological changes that occur during lactation.
A HISTOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL STUDY OF THE MAMMARY GLAND IN NORMAL AND AGALACTIC SOWS
Authors: CROSS B. A. , GOODWIN R. F. W. , SILVER I. A.
Published: December 2008

1. A method has been devised for obtaining repeated biopsy samples from the mammaryglands of sows, and by its use the histological changes associated with farrowing have been studied.

2. Before farrowing, the alveoli were at first small and filled with a hyaline eosinophilic secretion. Progressive distension of the alveoli followed, accompanied by a gradual replacement of the eosinophilic material by basophilic secretion and the onset of fat secretion. At farrowing the alveoli were contracted and their contents evacuated.

3. Acute involutional changes seen in the engorged glands of early-weaned animals, or animals that were suckled with one teat occluded, were characterized by solidification of the alveoli, swollen degenerating epithelial cells and, later, stromal proliferation. Little alveolar structure remained after 8 days.

4. Descriptions are given of three main types of mammary defect that were detected histologically in clinical cases of agalactia.

5. In experiments on milk ejection, recorded manometrically, the dose-response relation to injected oxytocin was determined. Two out of three sows responded to 10 mu. and maximal responses were obtained with doses of 200–500 mu.

6. The occurrence of myoepithelial cells in the sow's mammary gland has been demonstrated by the alkaline phosphatase technique.
THE USE OF ION-EXCHANGE MATERIALS IN THE PREPARATION OF GONADOTROPHINS FROM URINE
Authors: BUTT W. R. , ROUND BRENDA P.
Published: December 2008

1. Gonadotrophins were extracted from urine by adsorption on kaolin and their behaviour on ion-exchange materials was examined.

2. Anionic resins in a borate form, and diethylaminoethyl cellulose removed inactive material from these extracts with no loss of gonadotrophic activity.

3. It is recommended that these methods be introduced into the routine kaolin extraction procedure instead of the method employing tricalcium phosphate, the use of which may cause losses of active material.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE REFRACTORY PERIOD OF REPRODUCTION IN MALE BIRDS BY MEANS OF EXOGENOUS PROLACTIN AND FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE
Authors: LOFTS B. , MARSHALL A. J.
Published: December 2008

At the end of the breeding season wild birds become refractory to photostimulation, and at the same time there is cessation of spermatogenesis, production of cholesterol-positive tubular lipids, tubular collapse and an overall reduction in size of the testis. These natural events can be duplicated by hypophysectomy or prolactin injection. Just before the onset of such changes the males of at least some wild species produce prolactin.

It is shown in pigeons that exogenous prolactin is probably without direct effect on the avian testis, operating merely by inhibiting adenohypophysial activity. However, since in pluralbrooded wild species such collapse is delayed until the last clutch of the season has been fertilized and the males of some of these also brood the eggs, it seems likely that, in nature, prolactin can only temporarily depress, and not inhibit, the output of gonadotrophin. The seasonal inhibition of adenohypophysial function, and the resultant metamorphosis of the testis, is probably essentially under neural control with external stimuli ultimately involved.

As regards the termination of the refractory period, it is demonstrated that very small quantities (0·6 i.u.) of exogenous follicle stimulating hormone will clear the tubules of experimentally produced (by hypophysectomy) 'post-nuptial' lipids and cholesterol almost immediately after their appearance. This is interpreted as confirmatory evidence that it is the anterior pituitary, and not the testis, that becomes seasonally refractory. The time taken for the rhythmical annual recovery of adenohypophysial function is probably one of the most important events in the regulation of avian breeding seasons and migration.
THE INFLUENCE OF AGE ON LITTER-SIZE
Authors: INGRAM D. L. , MANDL ANITA M. , ZUCKERMAN S.
Published: December 2008

In three related strains of rats the numbers of fertile females have been found to fall with age and with the birth of successive litters. In thirty-five rats belonging to these three strains, each of which had a minimum of eight litters, the second litter was generally bigger than the first. From then on, however, litter-size gradually fell until the animals ceased to breed.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE VIABILITY OF FROZEN OVARIAN TISSUE
Authors: PARKES A. S.
Published: December 2008

Viability of rat ovarian tissue frozen and thawed in vitro was assessed by its capacity to form an endocrinologically active autograft, and variables associated with the treatment have been studied.

Other neutral solutes tested were not as effective as glycerol in protecting against freezing damage, and 15% (v/v) glycerol was more effective than 10% and much more effective than 5%.

The duration of soaking before slow freezing can be reduced with advantage from 1 hr to 15 min.

One-stage rapid freezing to −79° C was very damaging to the tissue as compared with slow freezing, but two-stage rapid freezing, recently described as being effective with bull spermatozoa, gave intermediate results.

Tissue frozen in glycerol-saline deteriorates rapidly after thawing if left at room temperature, but transference to glycerol horse serum after thawing largely preserves viability. Some implications of this result are discussed.
THE PRESENCE OF AN INHERENT REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE IN THE MALE LABORATORY RAT
Authors: GUNN S. A. , GOULD THELMA C.
Published: December 2008

The data presented in this paper illustrate a distinct yearly cycle of activity in the capacity of the dorso-lateral prostate (d.l.p.) of the male laboratory rat to concentrate injected 65Zn. From 60 to 85% more 65Zn was taken up per mg of glandular tissue in the months of February-March and June-July than at other times of year. Studies of the corresponding weights of the d.l.p. showed trends towards lower glandular weights in January and in April; the maximum difference noted between high and low glandular weights was, however, only 28%. That this increased uptake of 65Zn by the d.l.p. in February-March and June-July was a strong inherent feature was illustrated by the fact that rats of various ages, from 8 weeks to 1½ years, showed this increased glandular activity at these times of year. Of all the animals tested only the immature rat of 5 weeks of age and the exhausted breeder did not manifest this seasonal activity.
THE EFFECT OF GLUCAGON PREPARATIONS ON THE UPTAKE OF GLUCOSE BY ISOLATED RAT DIAPHRAGM
Authors: RANDLE P. J.
Published: December 2008

The uptake of glucose by isolated rat diaphragm is increased in the presence of glucagon preparations (at concentrations of 20–200 μg/ml.). Evidence is produced which appears to show that this effect is due to the presence of insulin in preparations of glucagon. The insulin content of an amorphous preparation of glucagon, assayed with isolated diaphragm, appeared to be of the order of 1% (w/w). In view of this finding, it is suggested that no conclusions can be drawn about a possible effect of glucagon on carbohydrate metabolism in muscle until preparations are available which are entirely free from insulin.