bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE MECHANISM IN INHIBITION OF OVULATION IN ORAL CONTRACEPTION. II.
Authors: Starup J. , Østergaard E.
Published: December 2008

22 normally menstruating women were treated cyclically with a daily dose of 5 mg of 6-methyl-6-dehydro-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (megestrol acetate) + 0.1 mg of 17α-ethynyl-oestradiol-3-methylether (mestranol) for a period of 1 to 20 cycles. It has previously been shown by laparotomy, that this dose is effective for the inhibition of ovulation. Studies on the excretion of total gonadotrophins led to the assumption that the mechanism of this inhibition of ovulation involved a central effect on the hypothalamo-pituitary system. We therefore tried to counteract this effect and induce ovulation during the last treatment-cycle by (1) the administration of pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMS) alone, (2) human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) alone or (3) a combination of both. The standard dose was: 1500 IU of PMS on days 8, 10 and 12 and 4500 IU of HCG on days 13, 14 and 15. The response of the ovaries was assessed at laparotomy on day 24 by direct inspection and by histological examination of biopsies of the ovaries and the endometrium. Stimulation with PMS only did not induce ovulation, not even during the first month. With HCG alone it was – with one exception – only possible to induce ovulation in the first two months, but with PMS + HCG we found that ovulation occurred even after 20 months of treatment. It was concluded that the mechanism of inhibition of ovulation is essentially an inhibition of the pituitary gonadotrophins. It is probable that the luteinizing hormone (LH) is inhibited before the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), but prolonged treatment, causes an inhibition of both LH and FSH.
STUDIES ON PITUITARY GONADOTROPHINS IN HUMAN PLASMA
Authors: Keller Paul J.
Published: December 2008

Gonadotrophic activity was estimated in individual plasma samples of 46 male and female subjects of all ages. The plasma was extracted by means of an ammonium acetate-ethanol procedure and tested biologically by the mouse uterine weight assay. The values in postmenopausal plasma ranged from 10 to 46 milligram-equivalents of the 2nd International Reference Preparation for Human Menopausal Gonadotrophin per litre. Plasma of men and women in the reproductive years contained 0.6–3.0 and 0.5–2.4 milligram-equivalents of the 2nd IRP per litre. The results in female plasma were assembled according to the day of the menstrual cycle. Though there was no significant difference in the mean values between group A (days 1–9), B (days 10–19) and C (days 20–30), the highest value was observed on the 13th day of the cycle of a 37 years old woman.
STUDIES ON PITUITARY GONADOTROPHINS IN HUMAN PLASMA
Authors: Keller Paul J.
Published: December 2008

Plasma pools obtained from men and postmenopausal women were extracted by an ammonium acetate-ethanol procedure and assayed by four biological systems assumed to measure »total« gonadotrophic activity, follicle-stimulating or luteinizing hormone activity. The 2nd International Reference Preparation for Human Menopausal Gonadotrophin, NIH-FSH-S2 and NIH-LH-S3 were used as standards. All assays were valid with regard to the statistical tests performed.

Postmenopausal plasma contained 17 times more total gonadotrophic activity, 15 times more FSH activity and 4–6 times more LH activity than male plasma. The FSH/LH ratio was 2–4 times higher in postmenopausal than in male plasma. When postmenopausal plasma was calculated in terms of male plasma, the biological dissimilarity of the two materials was also indicated by the indices of discrimination for combinations of assays, which were significantly different from unity for all groups measuring a relationship FSH/LH.
PERINATAL THYROID FUNCTION IN THE RAT
Authors: Florsheim Warner H. , Faircloth Marjorie A. , Corcorran Nancy L. , Rudko Paul
Published: December 2008

Thyroid function in the developing rat was measured during late gestation and the first 3 weeks of life. Radioiodine uptake showed a marked peak immediately after birth. Thyroidal hormone stores dropped to stable levels by the 4th day of life and an increase in hepatic α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity suggested increased hormone secretion about the time of birth. Monoiodotyrosine in the thyroid glands declined sharply just before birth but recovered its prenatal level by the 3rd day of life. The data may indicate a discharge of pituitary TSH at birth followed by a period of pituitary hormone repletion. Hypothalamic influences upon the thyroid - pituitary axis appear to be of little importance in perinatal life.
OESTROGENS IN VIRILIZING ADRENAL CARCINOMA
Authors: Loutfi George I. , Emerson Kendall
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion of oestrone, 17β-oestradiol and oestriol, together with total phenolic steroids and 17-ketosteroids, were measured in three patients with virilizing adrenal carcinoma before and after removal of the primary tumour and again after the development of functioning metastasis. The patient who excreted chiefly oestrone had a 10-year survival after removal of the original tumour in spite of the presence of metastases, whereas one of the two subjects who excreted predominantly oestriol died within one year after removal of the primary tumour. In the third case the primary tumour was almost completely necrotic at the time of surgery 4 years ago.

Corticotrophin stimulation increased the excretion of the predominant metabolite by the primary tumour, whereas dexamethasone restored a more normal pattern of steroid excretion and reduced the total urinary phenolic steroids. The steroid excretion by the metastases, on the other hand, was not affected by either procedure in 2 cases. In the third patient necrosis and disappearance of liver metastases with a subsequent decrease of urinary steroid excretion was observed following the infusion of corticotrophin.
DYSPLASIA OF THE SELLA TURCICA: CLINICAL AND LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS IN THREE CASES
Authors: Lundberg P. O. , Gemzell Carl
Published: December 2008

Three cases are described with no actual sella turcica but only a shallow depression in its place. The name dysplasia is suggested for this as distinct from the term »a small sella« which is used by other authors to describe a clearly definable and normally-shaped sella turcica but which is smaller than average for the patient's age.

Endocrine dysfunction was present in all cases to a varying extent. In the first case hypogonadism, dwarfism, obesity, fronto-temporal baldness, hypothermia and cataract were present.

In the second case hypogonadism, slight obesity and a defective cortisol-ACTH feed-back mechanism were found.

In the third case with the least pronounced dysplasia, the endocrinological investigations only showed frontal baldness and a decreased glucose tolerance.

The EEG was pathological in all cases. Air-encephalography did not show any changes outside the suprasellar region. The patients were neurologically and mentally normal.
ORAL ANABOLIC:ANDROGENIC EVALUATIONS OF FOUR ANABOLIC STEROIDS
Authors: Arnold Aaron , Potts Gordon O.
Published: December 2008

Four steroids of potential clinical interest were evaluated in rats for anabolic activity by means of nitrogen balance studies and myotrophically for their effect on the growth of the levator ani muscle. The increase in the weight of the ventral prostate was used as an index of their androgenicity.

Under these conditions the nitrogen retention:androgenic and myotrophic:androgenic dissociation ratios were: 17α-methyl-4-chloro-testosterone 0.65:0.12 = 5.4 and 0.32:0.12 = 2.7; 17α-methyl-androst-5-ene-3,17-diol 0.70:0.62 = 1.1 and 0.46:0.62 = 0.7; 17α-methyl-19-nortestosterone 4.6:1.1 = 4.2 and 5.8:1.1 = 5.3; and 1-methyl-androst-1-enolone acetate 0.06:0.15 = 0.004 and 0.72:0.15 = 4.8, respectively. While the nitrogen retention:androgenic and myotrophic:androgenic ratios, in general, are of the same order, it should be noted that there was a marked discrepancy between the nitrogen retention:androgenic and the myotrophic:androgenic ratios for 1-methyl-androst-1-enolone acetate.
ALDOSTERONE STIMULATION IN VITRO
Authors: Müller Jürg
Published: December 2008

Tritiated precursors of corticosteroids were incubated with rat adrenal sections. At the end of the incubation, tritium-labelled aldosterone and corticosterone were determined by double isotope dilution procedures.

When corticosterone-[3H], deoxycorticosterone-[3H], progesterone-[3H] or pregnenolone-[3H] were used as substrates, 2–5% of the total radioactivity in the incubation medium could be recovered in the aldosterone fraction, while 20–25% of the latter three substrates were incorporated into corticosterone. Potassium ions, ammonium ions, angiotensin II and ACTH markedly stimulated the biosynthesis of unlabelled aldosterone from endogenous precursors. However, they did not influence the amounts of radioactive substrate converted to aldosterone or corticosterone. NADP and glucose 6-phosphate stimulated both the total production of aldosterone and corticosterone and the conversion of deoxycorticosterone-[3H] and of pregnenolone-[3H] to corticosterone.

Only minute amounts of tritiated cholesterol were converted to corticosteroids. Angiotensin II and ammonium ions significantly stimulated the conversion of cholesterol-[3H] to aldosterone, while ACTH, potassium ions and particularly NADP and glucose 6-phosphate enhanced its incorporation into both aldosterone and corticosterone.

These findings indicate that, like ACTH and NADPH2, monovalent cations and angiotensin act mainly on the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone and do not directly stimulate hydroxylation or dehydrogenation in position 18.
CLINICAL AND STEROID METABOLIC STUDIES IN FOUR SIBLINGS WITH CONGENITAL VIRILIZING ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA
Authors: Hall Kerstin , Hökfelt Bernt
Published: December 2008

The present studies were concerned with four siblings suffering from congenital adrenogenital syndrome. Their parents were healthy and not closely related. At first examination the age of the patients varied between 10 and 23 years. They all presented a short stature and marked virilization; blood pressure was normal. All four were genetic females. Three of them were brought up as girls, but one clearly showed male identification. The youngest patient was registered as a boy at birth and brought up as such.

None of the case histories revealed signs of cortisol deficiency in spite of low plasma cortisol and low urinary cortisol metabolites. Plasma ACTH was high. Both plasma cortisol and plasma ACTH probably showed normal diurnal variation. Pregnanetriol was a predominant urinary steroid metabolite. There was no indication of a significant secretion of 11-deoxycortisol.

Under ordinary salt intake, the urinary aldosterone was higher than in normal subjects, possibly in response to the high production of steroids with natriuretic properties. Following treatment with dexamethasone, the urinary aldosterone decreased and so did cortisol tetra-hydro-derivatives, pregnanetriol and pregnanediol, without any influence on sodium balance. Stimulation with ACTH had no effect on aldosterone production, whereas urinary pregnanetriol and pregnanediol increased markedly, concomitant with a tendency to sodium loss. Angiotensin effectively stimulated aldosterone production, whereas rather larger quantities were needed to obtain a blood pressure response.

Plasma testosterone was increased to the levels seen in normal males. Following ACTH there was no further increase in blood testosterone, whereas a marked decrease was seen after dexamethasone.

Urinary oestrogens were rather high before treatment and decreased in two patients during treatment with dexamethasone, concomitant with the appearance of urinary gonadotrophins.
THE EFFECT OF IODOCHLORO-OXYQUINOLINE AND IOPANOIC ACID ON THE DETERMINATION OF PBI AND BEI
Authors: Levin Klas , Josephson Bertil , Grünewald Gunnel
Published: December 2008

Our results have confirmed that BEI determination is a more specific method than PBI determination for the estimation of the concentration of thyroxine and other, if any, iodine-containing hormones. Although the administration of iodinated organic compounds sometimes increased the BEI concentration, the latter in this respect was less susceptible than the PBI.

Ingestion of iodochloro-oxyquinoline to a small number of healthy volunteers caused both the PBI and the BEI concentration to reach higher values than could be determined by the methods used. Following discontinuation of intake the BEI level required only one week to return to the normal range; the PBI, however, took several weeks. Administration of iopanoic acid (for cholecystography) caused a much greater and more prolonged increase in PBI than in BEI.
PITUITARY-ADRENAL FUNCTION IN ORAL CONTRACEPTION
Authors: Starup J. , Sele V. , Buus O.
Published: December 2008

14 normally menstruating women aged 17 to 29 were treated cyclically with a daily dose of 5 mg of 6-methyl-6-dehydro-17α-acetoxyprogesterone (megestrol acetate) + 0.1 mg of 17α-ethynyl-oestradiol-3-methylether (mestranol) for a period of 3 to 74 weeks. During treatment we found a gradual decrease in the excretion of both 17-ketogenic steroids (17-KGS) and 17-ketosteroids (17-KS). After cessation of treatment, we found a rapid increase to pre-treatment levels in the excretion of both 17-KGS and 17-KS.

The decrease in the output of 17-KGS and 17-KS observed during treatment with megestrol acetate + mestranol might be explained by:

a suppression of the pituitary function

a suppression of the adrenal cortical function

a change in the metabolism of the corticosteroids.

The purpose of the present investigation was to explore these hypotheses. 8 patients were treated with the above mentioned dose of megestrol acetate + mestranol until the excretion of pituitary gonadotrophins was significantly suppressed. This occurred after a treatment-period of 3 to 10 months. In all 8 patients we determined the responsive to metyrapone before the treatment started and a short time before the treatment was discontinued. During treatment all 8 patients showed a normal response to oral administration of metyrapone. Furthermore, in 6 out of the 8 patients we tested the response of the adrenal cortex to intravenous and intramuscular administration of corticotrophin (ACTH) just before the treatment was discontinued. In all patients a normal ACTH-stimulation test was found. During treatment, the concentration of plasma cortisol was significantly increased to values about 3 times the control values, whereas the concentration of plasma 11-deoxycortisol (compound S) remained unchanged. This high plasma cortisol level during treatment is probably caused by an increased protein-binding of cortisol.

As both the responsive to metyrapone and to ACTH is normal during treatment with megestrol acetate + mestranol, we are of the opinion that the decrease observed in the excretion of 17-KGS and 17-KS is due to a change in the metabolism of the corticosteroids.
POSTPONEMENT OF MENSES, SUPPRESSION OF URINARY GONADOTROPHINS, 17-KGS AND 17-KS IN NORMAL WOMEN TREATED WITH A MEGESTROL ACETATE/MESTRANOL COMBINATION (DELPREGNIN) FROM DAY 20 OF THE CYCLE
Authors: Østergaard E. , Arends J. , Hamburger Chr. , Johnsen Svend G.
Published: December 2008

Ten normally menstruating women, ranging in age from 19—32, received 5 mg of megestrol acetate plus 0.1 mg of mestranol from day 20 of the cycle daily for 20 days.

Individual 48 h urine collections were obtained from cycle days 7—8, 13—14, 18—19, and from days 9—10 and 19—20 during the treatment. Each 48 h specimen was assayed for »total« gonadotrophins, 17-KGS and fractionated 17-KS. The basal temperature and occurrence of menstruation were noted before, during and after the treatment.

In 7 cases unequivocal suppression of gonadotrophins was observed during the medication period, and all these women had their expected menstruation postponed until after termination of the treatment. The next menstrual cycles were ovulatory and regular in relation to the postponed menstruation. In 3 cases no suppression of gonadotrophins was observed and these same cases had no postponement of menstruation.

The mean excretion of 17-ketogenic steroids and of 17-ketosteroids (total 17-KS, dehydroepiandrosterone, androsterone and aetiocholanolone fractions) in the whole group was significantly depressed at the end of the treatment period.
AUFTRETEN VON KASTRATIONSZELLEN IM HYPOPHYSENVORDERLAPPEN MÄNNLICHER RATTEN NACH BEHANDLUNG MIT EINEM ANTIANDROGEN
Authors: Neumann F.
Published: December 2008

Following the administration of an androgen-antagonist (1,2α-methylene-6-chloro-pregna-4,6-diene-17α-ol-3,20-dione = cyproterone) to male rats, changes are observed in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland comparable to those which develop following removal of the gonads. The appearance of so called castration cells is very striking, particularly in the periphery, and in the area adjacent to the pars intermedia.

The findings suggest that the androgen-antagonism of cyproterone also manifests itself in those receptors of the sex centre, which regulate the amount of gonadotrophin production and secretion in relation to the production of testosterone. Since endogenous testosterone can no longer exert its inhibitory effect on the sex centre, the sex centre, as in a state of sexual hormone deficiency, reacts by secreting releasing factors for gonadotrophins. Thus those cell elements in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland are stimulated and this leads to the production of gonadotrophin.
EFFECT OF AN ANABOLIC STEROID UPON VARIOUS FRACTIONS OF TISSUE HYDROXYPROLINE IN CORTISONE TREATED RATS
Authors: Kowalewski K.
Published: December 2008

Anabolic steroid methandrostenolone was tested for its ability to protect the rats against cortisone-induced changes in chemistry of collagen. Extractive chemical study of dermal and hepatic collagen was performed in controls, cortisone treated and in cortisone plus methandrostenolone treated rats. Significant decrease of saline-extractable, insoluble and total hydroxyproline and significant increase of acid-extractable hydroxyproline was found in cortisone treated rats. Most of the fractions of hydroxyproline were found normal in rats treated with both steroids. Protective action of an anabolic steroid against cortisone-induced collagen alterations was demonstrated in this experiment.
DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE EXCRETION IN THE MOTHERS OF MONGOLS
Authors: Stern Margaret I. , Cowie Valerie A. , Coppen Alec
Published: December 2008

The urinary excretion of dehydroepiandrosterone was measured in 22 mothers of mongol children born when the mother was less than thirty and in 9 mothers who had borne a mongol child within six months of the collection of their urine for testing.

Contrary to previous reports no difference was found in the urinary excretion of this steroid between these mothers of mongol children and wonen who had borne a normal child.
DETERMINATION OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (HGH) IN PLASMA BY A DOUBLE ANTIBODY RADIOIMMUNOASSAY
Authors: Cerasi E. , Casa L. Della , Luft R. , Roovete A.
Published: December 2008

The double antibody technique of Hales & Randle (1963) for determination of insulin in plasma was developed for the assay of HGH in plasma. The precision and reproducibility of the method as well as the recovery of HGH added to plasma were highly satisfactory. Increased HGH values were obtained in acromegaly and during insulin hypoglycaemia, while decreased values were observed during glucose infusion. Successful treatment of acromegaly was accompanied by the return of plasma HGH levels toward normal.

The plasma HGH values obtained with the present method cannot be considered as reflecting the absolute amounts of HGH, since several factors in the assay procedure, mainly the incubation time and the concentration of HGH antibodies used, markedly influenced the values obtained. It is questioned whether the radioimmunological assay methods for HGH per se give an absolute measure of this hormone in plasma.
STUDIES ON A POSSIBLE ANTIGENIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GONADOTROPHINS AND BLOOD GROUP SUBSTANCES
Authors: Hipkin L. J.
Published: December 2008

Precipitation reactions could not be demonstrated between antisera to human erythrocytes of A, B and O groups and chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG), pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMS) and animal pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH-P). Blood group activity was present in the gonadotrophin extracts but could not be attributed to the hormone. The blood group substances present in the gonadotrophic extracts caused a low titre of haemagglutinins to appear in potent antigonadotrophic sera. Absorption with A, B and O erythrocytes did not lower the haemagglutination titre of anti-HCG serum when tested against HCG-sensitised cells. The antisera to the erythrocytes did not affect the response to HCG in rats but caused partial inhibition of the effects of HCG, HMG and PMS in mice. The latter result was not thought to be the result of an immunological reaction. It was concluded that gonadotrophins do not possess blood group A, B, or O(H) specificity.
SELECTIVE AND REVERSIBLE INHIBITION OF PROLIFERATION AND INFLUENCE ON METABOLIC FUNCTIONS IN L CELLS BY LOW CORTISOL CONCENTRATIONS
Authors: Seifert R. , Hilz H.
Published: December 2008

1 × 10−6 M cortisol produces an immediate block in cell division in L cells (mouse fibroblasts) propagated in suspension culture. Under these conditions no inhibition of metabolic parameters could be observed (except for a partial inhibition of DNA synthesis). Consequently, there is an increase in cell size which is accompanied by an increased DNA content and an elevated capacity of these cells to incorporate sulphate into a sulphopolysaccharide and proline into the protein fraction respectively. The cortisol-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and the increase in cell size are reversible on withdrawal of the hormone from the medium.
EFFECT OF PROPYLTHIOURACIL ON THE IODINATION AND MATURATION OF RAT THYROGLOBULIN
Authors: Simon Claude , Roques Marie , Torresani Janine , Lissitzky Serge
Published: December 2008

The effect of propylthiouracil on the maturation of rat thyroglobulin in vivo has been investigated. Newly iodinated thyroglobulin dimer is labile to freezing and thawing. This observation has been used to interpret the findings in the present experiments.

From experiments using rats in isotopic equilibrium with 125I, and treated with propylthiouracil or propylthiouracil and tri-iodothyronine and also given a single injection of 131I, the following conclusions were formulated 1) the appearance of iodinated S12 thyroglobulin monomer is due to the dissociation of labile iodinated thyroglobulin dimer and appears more readily if the dimer is poorly iodinated, 2) uniodinated thyroglobulin dimer is the most probable substrate for iodination in vivo, 3) maturation of thyroglobulin dimer (as shown by increasing sedimentation constant from 16—17 to 19) is accompanied by increasing amounts of iodine in the molecule, 4) it is not possible to say at present if iodination and iodothyronine formation is the cause or the consequence of thyroglobulin dimer maturation, 5) propylthiouracil might inhibit thyroglobulin maturation by decreasing iodine organification.
PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY IN A CASE OF KLINEFELTER'S SYNDROME
Authors: Leon Nelson , Wajchenberg Bernardo Léo , Beçak Willy
Published: December 2008

An 11 year old male with Klinefelter syndrome and precocious puberty showed an XY/XXY/XXXY chromosomal constitution in his peripheral blood. The meiotic non-disjunction considered as responsible for the syndrome is probably of maternal origin as suggested by the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels. It is difficult to decide whether the relationship between the two disorders is casual or not. The effects of longacting progesterone on the patient are described.
ANTAGONISMUS VON TESTOSTERON UND 1,2α-METHYLEN-6-CHLOR-PREGNA-4,6-DIEN-17α-OL-3,20-DION (CYPROTERON) AN DEN DIE GONADOTROPHIN-SEKRETION REGULIERENDEN ZENTREN BEI MÄNNLICHEN RATTEN
Authors: Neumann F.
Published: December 2008

Following the administration of an androgen antagonist (1,2α-methylene6-chloro-pregna-4,6-diene-17α-ol-3,20-dione = cyproterone) to infantile rats, the inhibitory action of low doses of testosterone propionate, TP (0.003–0.03 mg) on the centers regulating the gonadotrophin secretion can be more or less prevented. The inhibitory action of 0.1 mg testosterone propionate cannot be influenced by 5 mg cyproterone. The direct stimulating action of high TP doses (0.3 mg and 1 mg) on the testes is inhibited by the androgen antagonist.

These results are due to the difference in sensitivity to androgens of the centers regulating the gonadotrophin secretion on the one hand, and of the testes on the other.
DER EINFLUSS VON CORTICOTROPHIN AUF DIE ÖSTROGENAUSSCHEIDUNG IN DER SCHWANGERSCHAFT UND BEI INTRAUTERINEM FRUCHTTOD
Authors: Dässler C.-G.
Published: December 2008

In 6 healthy women in late pregnancy the urinary oestriol fraction increased considerably following infusion of 25 IU corticotrophin (ACTH). Oestrone and oestradiol did not rise in a comparable extent. 6 patients with intrauterine foetal death and 3 women in the 10th and 11th week of pregnancy showed no increase of oestriol after ACTH. The results indicate a conversion of ACTH-dependent steroid precursors to oestriol in late pregnancy by the intact foeto-placental unit.
STUDIES ON THE METABOLISM OF C-21 STEROIDS IN THE HUMAN FOETO-PLANCENTAL UNIT
Authors: Palmer R. , Blair J. A. , Eriksson G. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

Human placentas were perfused in situ at midpregnancy with labelled progesterone, 20α-dihydroprogesterone and 20β-dihydroprogesterone and the radioactive material recovered from the placentas and perfusates was analysed.

Placental metabolism of progesterone was rather limited; a small amount was transformed into 20α-dihydroprogesterone and into 6β-hydroxyprogesterone. No conversion into 16α-hydroxyprogesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, deoxycorticosterone, androstenedione, 20β-dihydroprogesterone or pregnanediol was found.

20α-Dihydroprogesterone was extensively converted into progesterone and, to a small extent, into 6β-hydroxyprogesterone. These conversions could not be demonstrated with 20β-dihydroprogesterone.

A scheme is presented describing the placental metabolism of progesterone and of its 20α- and 20β-reduced forms.
PITUITARY HISTOLOGY OF RATS TREATED NEONATALLY WITH STEROID HORMONES
Authors: Maqueo M. , Burt A. , Kind Fred A.
Published: December 2008

Five day old male rats were sterilized by an injection of 250 μg of oestradiol benzoate. Females were treated either with graded doses of testosterone propionate, or 250 μg of oestradiol benzoate. The various cells in the adenohypophysis of 45 day old animals were counted. In both sexes there was an increase in the number of chromophobes and castration cells and decrease of gonadotrops and acidophils. The observed increase in the number of castration cells was much more marked in males than in females.
DIE AUTOREGULATIVE WIRKUNG DES JODIDS BEI DER HYPERTHYREOSE
Authors: Reinwein D. , Horster F. A.
Published: December 2008

The effect of an increased iodide level in the blood on the thyroidal iodine metabolism was investigated in 24 hyperthyroid patients. This iodide level in blood was maintained for 8 days. With a physiological iodide level in blood of about 0.9 μg/100 ml the absolute iodide uptake (AIA) of the thyroid amounted to 32.6 μg/h. With an iodide level of 17.9 μg/100 ml the AIA increased by a factor of 15. A further increase inhibited AIA and blocked it completely at iodide levels in the blood above 83 μg/100 ml. Compared to euthyroid controls and nontoxic goiter, hyperthyroid patients showed the following characteristics:

With increasing iodide level in blood, the maximal 131I uptake of the thyroid is reached faster. The average AIA at all observed iodide concentrations in blood is higher than those of euthyroid subjects.

The PB131I, PB127I and basic metabolic rates return to normal values at an average iodide level in blood of 8.2 μg/100 ml. The only indicator at normal iodide level in blood, whether or not inhibition of organification by iodide can be obtained, is the increased AIA and not the T/S ratio.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF PANCREATIC ISLET CELLS IN GUINEA-PIGS
Authors: Petersson Birger
Published: December 2008

By means of gentle pressure on isolated guinea-pig islets, cells in an isolated state were obtained. The free islet cells could be classified as A1, A2 and B cells with the current staining methods. Determinations of the dry mass with a scanning interference microphotometer showed a significantly higher value in the A2 cells (1.95 × 10−10 g) as compared with the B cells (1.12 × 10−10 g). Various possibilities for utilizing the isolated islet cells for further analyses of the endocrine activity of the pancreas are discussed.
HYPOPITUITARISM AND FLEXOR MUSCLE SPASM
Authors: Stewart A. G. , Sprunt J. G.
Published: December 2008

Hypopituitarism may present with a functional and reversible contraction of skeletal muscle which involves primarily the flexor and adductor muscles of the thighs. Two further cases demonstrating this association are described and discussed.

It appears that the flexor spasm is consequent upon a failure in cortisol production following pituitary or adrenal damage.

It is suggested that the syndrome follows the internal shift in water and electrolytes with disturbed sodium transport which occurs in cortisol deficiency. This may act through a direct effect on muscle contractility or on neuromuscular transmission. The possibility remains that this effect is not seen until the blood glucose level falls, and that the hypoglycaemia is not merely an associated feature.
THE EFFECT OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY, ADRENALECTOMY AND CORTISONE ON THE INCORPORATION OF TRITIATED THYMIDINE IN RAT ORGANS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCES TO THE LYMPHOID TISSUES
Authors: Knutson F. , Lundin P. M.
Published: December 2008

After hypophysectomy, the incorporation of tritiated thymidine decreases in the thymus and spleen, but not in the lymph nodes. Adrenalectomy has no apparent influence on this incorporation. After prolonged treatment with moderate amounts of cortisone, the incorporation is significantly decreased in the thymus and spleen, but the slight decrease in the lymph nodes is not significant. In untreated animals the incorporation is of the same magnitude in all three lymphoid tissues. These results are compared with those obtained with 32P O4 – a method that gives a relatively higher incorporation in the thymus than in the spleen and lymph nodes. These values are more consistent with the mitotic indices of these organs.

The reutilization of thymidine in the lymphoid organs is discussed. It is concluded that such a reutilization is a normal mechanism in the lymphoid tissues, and that it is markedly increased while under the influence of corticosteroids, particularly in the thymus.
THE PARATHYROIDS IN CORTICOSTEROID-TREATED PREGNANT RATS AND THEIR OFFSPRING
Authors: Hansson C. Göran , Angervall Lennart
Published: December 2008

DOCA administered daily to rats during the second half of pregnancy significantly increased the mitotic rate in both maternal and foetal parathyroids as well as the foetal parathyroid volume suggesting a stimulation of the parathyroid glands. The morphological changes in the parathyroids of foetuses of the DOCA treated rats were similar to those previously observed in foetuses of alloxan diabetic rats.
STUDIES ON OESTRIOL SYNTHESIS FROM DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULPHATE IN HUMAN PREGNANCY
Authors: Kirschner M. A. , Wiqvist N. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

The pathway of oestriol (OE3) synthesis from dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) was examined in human pregnancy at midterm, from both foetal and maternal compartments. In the first series of experiments, 3H-labelled DHAS and 14C-labelled oestrone sulphate (OE1S) were administered into the intact foeto-placental circulation. Oestrone (OE1), 17β-oestradiol (OE2) and OE3 formed during the 20 minutes after injection were isolated from the placenta, foetus and urine of the mother. The following observations were made: a) conversion to OE3 was greater from DHAS than OE1S, b) more OE3 was formed from DHAS than OE1 and OE2, c) the 3H/14C-ratios of the urinary OE3 were higher than those of OE1 and OE2.

In the second series of experiments, three pregnant subjects were given the same combination of sulphurylated precursors via the antecubital vein, and OE1, OE2 and OE3 were isolated from their urine. In contrast to the foeto - placental studies: a) OE1S was converted to urinary OE3 in greater yield than was DHAS, b) more OE1 and OE2 were formed from DHAS than was OE3, c) the 3H/14C-ratios of the three urinary oestrogens were similar to each other. In addition, the specific activity of OE3 was lower than that of OE1 and OE2 with respect to both 3H and 14C.

These results suggest that DHAS circulating within the foeto - placental compartment is converted to OE3 via both phenolic and neutral intermediates, whereas DHAS originating from the maternal circulation is converted to OE3 largely via a phenolic pathway.

Approximately 80% of the OE3 formed within the foeto - placental compartment was transferred to the mother within 20 minutes. This rapid transport may explain the usefulness of urinary OE3 determinations in the assessment of foetal viability.
STUDIES ON THE UTERUS, SKIN AND FEMUR OF RATS TREATED WITH 17β-OESTRADIOL BENZOATE FOR ONE TO TWENTY-ONE DAYS
Authors: Smith Q. T. , Allison Donna J.
Published: December 2008

The wet weight, dry fat-free weight and collagen content of the uterus, the collagen, salt-soluble collagen and hexosamine contents of the skin and the collagen content of the femurs from weanling and young adult rats subjected to 1 to 21 daily injections of 2 μg 17β-oestradiol benzoate/100 g body weight were compared to similar data from control animals. Changes in dry fat-free weight of the uterus following oestradiol administration varied with animal age and did not coincide with changes in wet weight of the uterus. The dry fat-free weight of the uterus, as a per cent of wet weight, was significantly decreased in both age groups of rats following a single injecton of oestradiol only. Increases in dry fat-free weight of the uterus of the oestrogen-treated rats were primarily from substances other than collagen.

After 14 days of oestradiol injections, collagen per total skin was decreased in both weanling and young adult steroid-treated rats. The decrease in salt-soluble collagen extracted per gram of skin collagen at the later experimental periods was not great enough to warrant the conclusion that the quantity of salt-soluble collagen, relative to total skin collagen, was decreased. Hexosamine was not significantly decreased in either age of oestrogen-treated rats until the 21 day experimental period. The dry fat-free femur weight and collagen per femur of the oestrogen-treated rats were significantly changed (increased) only at the 14 day experimental period of the young adult rats.
ANABOLIC-ANDROGENIC ACTIVITY OF A-RING MODIFIED ANDROSTANE DERIVATIVES.
Authors: Nutting E. F. , Klimstra P. D. , Counsell R. E.
Published: December 2008

The activity of 33 steroids, injected intramuscularly, was determined in a castrate rat assay utilizing the responses of the seminal vesicle glands and ventral lobe of the prostate glands as independent parameters of androgenicity and the response of the levator ani muscle as an index of anabolic activity. Testosterone propionate was the reference standard. None of the compounds possessed high androgenic or anabolic activity. The myotrophic and average androgenic relative potencies of the 8 most active analogues ranged from 30 to 89% and 3.1 to 39%, respectively. The most active anabolic compound was the 1-dehydro-3-keto derivative of 17α-methyl-5α-androstan-17β-ol while the widest separation between anabolic and androgenic activities, myotrophic to androgenic ratio of 11.3, was obtained with the 2-dehydro-2-formyl derivative. The effect of various modifications of the A-ring on biological activity are outlined in detail.
INFLUENCE OF SEX HORMONES ON AMIDINOTRANSFERASE LEVELS. METABOLIC CONTROL OF CREATINE BIOSYNTHESIS
Authors: Kriskó István , Walker James B.
Published: December 2008

Arginine: glycine amidinotransferase is the first of two enzymes involved in creatine biosynthesis. The amidinotransferase specific activity (micromoles of hydroxyguanidine formed per hour per g wet weight of tissue) of kidney homogenates of mature male rats was about twice that of females of the same age, whereas activities were equal before puberty. Castration decreased the activity of males and increased that of females. The administration of testosterone propionate to young adult female rats resulted in a significant increase in enzyme activity.

The same enzyme had previously been shown to be repressible by its end-product, creatine. Although there are numerous enzymes whose synthesis is known to be under hormonal control, amidinotransferase is the only mammalian enzyme described up to now on which there appears to operate both an end-product repression mechanism and a hormonal control on the de novo synthesis of the enzyme protein.
TREATMENT OF AMENORRHOEA WITH MENOPAUSAL URINARY GONADOTROPHIN EVALUATED BY THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF PREGNANEDIOL IN THE URINE
Authors: Berthelsen Helge G. , Bang H. O.
Published: December 2008

Three young amenorrhoeic hypogonadal women, aged 19-24 years, all nulliparous, with a monophasic basal-temperature curve for at least 2 months, a low hypotrophic vaginal cytology, and a constantly low pregnanediol excretion were treated with an intramuscular injection of human menopausal urinary gonadotrophin (HMG) for ten days, followed by daily injections of chorionic gonadotrophin for four days. All the patients had previously been treated unsuccessfully with chorionic gonadotrophin.

The clinical effect was checked by daily thin-layer-chromatographic determination of the pregnanediol excretion in the morning urine, vaginal cytology, and daily recording of the basal temperature. Vaginal examination was done every day. One patient exhibited enlargement of the ovaries during the treatment, but apart from that there were no side effects, in particular no abnormal increase in basal temperature and no local reactions in the treated patients.

All the patients developed vaginal bleeding following an increase of the pregnanediol excretion. One woman conceived.
DELAY OF IMPLANTATION IN INTACT RATS TREATED WITH PROGESTINS
Authors: Nutting Ehard F. , Soliman Paul B.
Published: December 2008

Compounds were administered daily by the subcutaneous route to pregnant rats from day 1 of pregnancy (the day of finding sperm) to day 8, and 1 μg oestrone combined with 4000 μg progesterone from day 9–21. Animals were checked for implantation sites by laparotomy on day 8 and again on day 15, if no sites were visible on the 8th day. Autopsy was performed on day 22 of pregnancy.

Delay of nidation was produced with 6α-methylprogesterone (ED50 = 3000 μg), 17α-acetoxy-6α-methylprogesterone (ED50 = 720 μg) and its 21-fluoro (ED50 = 470 μg) and 6-dehydro-21-fluoro (ED50 = 3500 μg) derivatives, and 17α-ethyl-19-nortestosterone (ED50 = 3200 μg), but not with progesterone, 17α-acetoxyprogesterone, or 17α-acetoxy-6-dehydro-6-methylprogesterone. Foetal body weights in not delayed groups given 17α-acetoxy-6α-methylprogesterone (> 500 μg) and its 6-dehydro-21-fluoro analogue were much smaller than in control rats indicating the occurrence of additional partial delays of short duration undetectable by laparotomy on the 8th day. The number of implantation sites was reduced with 17α-ethyl-19-nortestosterone (> 500 μg/day) but not with any of the other compounds. The implantation rate achieved with a particular dose of a compound was similar in groups in which implantation was delayed ('delayed') and not delayed ('nondelayed'). In another study implantation occurred spontaneously within 8 days after cessation of all steroid treatments. The data are discussed in terms of a possible mechanism of action involving the development of an oestrogen deficiency in the animal resulting indirectly from the suppression of production or release of gonadotrophin from the pituitary gland.
A MODIFIED METHOD FOR THE ANALYSIS OF URINARY 17-KETOSTEROIDS, PREGNANEDIOL AND PREGNANETRIOL BY GAS LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND SUBJECTS WITH VARIOUS ENDOCRINE DISORDERS
Authors: Rivera Roberto , Dorfman Ralph I. , Forchielli Enrico
Published: December 2008

A modified method using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) is described for the determination of androsterone*, aetiocholanolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnanediol and pregnanetriol in the same urine aliquot. After sequential enzymatic hydrolysis and solvolysis, the urine extract is separated into 3 main fractions by silica gel column chromatography; one containing mainly the 17-ketosteroids, androsterone, aetiocholanolone and dehydroepiandrosterone; a second containing pregnanediol and the third pregnanetriol. After formation of the trimethylsilyl ethers (TMSi), the respective fractions are subjected to gas-liquid chromatography for quantitation. Tritiated androsterone, pregnanediol and pregnanetriol are added prior to extraction of the urines to check for recoveries. The method is specific and reproductible and is sufficiently sensitive to permit determination of urinary steroid excretion levels as low as 0.025 mg/24 hours. Results obtained with this method in the study of normal males and females and various pathological conditions are presented.
STEROIDSTRUKTUR UND LEBERTOXIZITÄT
Authors: Krüskemper H. L. , Noell G.
Published: December 2008

In male subjects investigations have been carried out regarding the effect of C1- and C17-methylated androstane derivatives (20 mg per day, orally, two weeks) on liver functions (parameters: activities of GPT, GOT, alkaline phosphatase and cholinesterase in serum; electrophoretic pattern; blood coagulation factors V, VII, X and prothrombin; BSP-retention). In addition to the well known hepatotropic action of 17α-alkylated C-19-steroids a quasi-axial 1α-methyl configuration (in 1α-methylandrost-2-en-17β-ol) definitely increased BSP-retention and several coagulation factors. These steroid effects decreased gradually when a methyl group was introduced in C1 equatorially (1-methylandrost-1-en-17β-ol-3-one) or quasi-equatorially (1β-methylandrost-2-en-17β-ol), the latter compound completely lacking from any influence on parameters of liver function under investigation.
THE INDUCTION OF LIVER TYROSINE 2-OXOGLUTARATE TRANSAMINASE IN RATS BY IMMOBILIZATION
Authors: Hänninen O. , Hartiala K.
Published: December 2008

The immobilization of unfasted young female rats caused a linear increase in liver tyrosine 2-oxoglutarate transaminase activity reaching a four fold level within 12 hours. This was followed by a decrease. No gastric lesions were observed macroscopically in 26 hours, but in many cases these appeared after immobilization of at least 40 hours. The enzyme activity in the liver of rats with macroscopic gastric lesions was double or more than double the activity in immobilized rats with no lesions or in non-immobilized control animals. The increase was partially inhibited by pretreating the animals 30 minutes before immobilization with a subcutaneous injection of actinomycin D. Adrenalectomized rats showed no increase in enzyme activity during immobilization.
DETERMINATION OF ANTIDIURETIC ACTIVITY IN THE RAT FOR STRUCTURAL ANALOGUES OF THE NEUROHYPOPHYSIAL HORMONES
Authors: Pliška Vladimir , Rychlík Ivan
Published: December 2008

A procedure for measuring the antidiuretic activity of the neurohypophysial hormones and their synthetic structural analogues in the hydrated rat in the dose range of 5–100 antidiuretic microunits is described. The technique of measurement allows the determination of diuresis over one-minute intervals, as well as the total amount of urine excreted over longer periods. The precision of the measurement is greatly increased by the use of a drop divider. The electrical conductivity of the urine is continuously recorded, and the conductivity and creatinine clearance are correlated with the urine flow. These techniques allow the precise determination of parameters such as the half-life of the antidiuretic effect, formal elimination constants, etc.; they can therefore serve for the comparison even of analogues showing qualitative differences in their antidiuretic effects from the chosen standard (arginine or lysine vasopressin), e. g. analogues of the hormonogen type with prolonged effects.
NEPHRECTOMY OF PREGNANT RATS
Authors: Hansson C. Göran
Published: December 2008

Parathyroids of pregnant rats nephrectomized 24 hours before delivery on the 22nd day of pregnancy, show increased parathyroid activity. The foetal parathyroids are also enlarged and have an increased mitotic rate and there is a significant positive relationship between the foetal parathyroid volume and the serum phosphorus of the mothers. Hence it is reasonable to assume that the stimulus for the foetal parathyroids is the same as that for the mothers, i. e. the altered calcium-phosphorus homeostasis after nephrectomy.
ÜBER DIE AUSSCHEIDUNG VON FREIEM UND GLUCURONSÄUREGEBUNDENEM TESTOSTERON IM KINDES- UND REIFUNGSALTER
Authors: Knorr D.
Published: December 2008

Two hundred and four 24-hours urines of healthy males of different age were examined for testosterone using the isotopic method by Vermeulen & Verplancke (1963). Of special interest was the time of puberty.

Already during the 9th and 10th year of life a significant increase of testosterone excretion can be found compared with the age group from the 4th to 8th year.

The adult values of testosterone are reached only after the 18th year of life.

The testosterone excretion increases temporarily in 6 to 12 year old boys during treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin over 6 weeks comparable to the testosterone excretion of 16 to 17 years old boys.

The reliability of the method is discussed in detail. The specificity of the method is checked by a self initiated fluorometric end-determination.

The significance of the testosterone determination in certain disturbances of puberty is discussed.
INFLUENCE OF GONADOTROPHIN ON HISTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE RABBIT OVARY
Authors: Boucek Robert J. , Telegdy Gyula , Savard Kenneth
Published: December 2008

Histochemical findings on rabbit ovarian tissue following gonadotrophin stimulation were correlated with the extent of acetate-1-14C incorporation into steroids by ovarian slices incubated at equivalent time-periods. Gonadotrophin reduced the rate of cellular division (tritiated thymidine uptake) in the maturing follicle, and following ovulation, cellular division was seen principally in the theca interna and lutein cells. Cellular division was not seen in the cells of the interstitium before or at any time after gonadotrophin stimulation. Gonadotrophin intensified the Δ5, 3β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase while reducing the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase reaction. The intensity of the reductases may reflect an increased synthetic activity of the cells of the interstitium for the C21-class of steroids and a decreased synthesis of the C19-class of steroids. A histochemical reaction for 20β- (but not 20α-) hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase intensified after gonadotrophin, suggesting limited amounts of the 20β-hydroxy epimer being formed, and the balance of the reactions favouring an increased formation of progesterone and 20α-hydroxy-pregn-4-en-3-one. These studies suggest the cell types involved in the synthesis of progestins and androgens and indicate that the cells of the interstitium do not proliferate following gonadotrophin.