bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THYROID FUNCTION IN RATS SELECTIVELY BRED FOR EMOTIONAL ELIMINATION
Authors: FEUER G. , BROADHURST P. L.
Published: December 2008

1. The incorporation of 131I into the thyroid and the secretion of labelled thyroid hormones from the gland have been studied in living animals and in vitro in rats of both sexes from the Maudsley Reactive and Non-reactive strains, selectively bred for emotional defecation.

2. The rate of uptake of 131I in living animals differed significantly in the two strains, being slower in the high defecating strain than in the low defecating one.

3. The rate of excretion of thyroid hormones from the gland was also different in these rats both in vivo and in vitro; it was slower in the high defecating than in the low defecating strain.

4. The size of the thyroids differed significantly; the wet weights of the gland of the rats of the high defecating strain were higher than those of the low defecating strain.

5. The water content of the thyroids of the high defecating strain was higher than in the low defecating strain.

6. Histology of the thyroids showed that the glands of the high defecating rats contained proportionately less secretory epithelium and more colloid and intercellular tissue than the glands of the low defecating rats.

7. The thyrotrophic hormone (TSH) content of the serum and the pituitary differed in the two strains. In the high defecating strain the level of TSH in the serum was lower and in the pituitary higher than that in the low defecating animals.
THE EFFECT OF SURGICAL THYROIDECTOMY ON LIGHT-INDUCED OESTRUS IN FERRETS
Authors: MARSHALL W. A. , THOMSON A. P. D.
Published: December 2008

1. In two series of ferrets, a total of twenty-one animals, it has been shown that surgical thyroidectomy delays light-induced oestrus in winter.

2. The onset of normal spring oestrus is also delayed by thyroidectomy.

3. The time between the appearance of the first signs of light-induced oestrus and the development of full oestrus is the same in normal and thyroidectomized animals.
THE EFFECT OF MALNUTRITION AND OF OCCLUDING THE HEPATIC BLOOD SUPPLY ON THE REMOVAL OF TRITIATED CORTICOSTEROIDS
Authors: FOY J. M. , SCHNIEDEN H.
Published: December 2008

Acute occlusion of the blood supply to the liver decreases inactivation of tritiated cortisol, corticosterone and aldosterone. In malnourished animals which had lost approx. 25% of their initial body weight, only cortisol inactivation was decreased.
HYALURONIDASE, CORTICOSTEROIDS AND THE ACTION OF NEUROHYPOPHYSIAL HORMONE ON THE URINARY BLADDER OF THE FROG
Authors: BENTLEY P. J.
Published: December 2008

1. The intercellular material of the epithelium of the frog bladder gave a positive staining response for mucopolysaccharides, but bovine testicular hyaluronidase had no effect on its permeability to water or sodium.

2. The hyaluronidase inhibitor 53k decreased the response of the bladder to oxytocin without affecting the normal rate of sodium transport.

3. Cortisol but not aldosterone also reduced responses to oxytocin.

4. Both cortisol and 53k were only effective when placed on the serosal side of the bladder.

5. These results are discussed in relation to the possible mode of action of neurohypophysial hormones.
URINARY EXCRETION OF ANDROST-16-EN-3α-OL LEVELS IN NORMAL SUBJECTS, AND EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH TROPHIC HORMONES
Authors: BROOKSBANK B. W. L.
Published: December 2008

Data are presented on the urinary excretion of androst-16-en-3α-ol by normal human subjects over the age span 4–86 years. The figures range from < 100 to 2630 μg./24 hr. in males, and < 100 to 1100 μg./24 hr. in females, the mean for men of 16–45 years being nearly three times that for women of the same age.

The effect on urinary androstenol and 17-oxosteroids of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and of corticotrophin (ACTH) have been compared in three normal young men and two women. Marked elevation of androstenol excretion occurred after ACTH in both sexes, while HCG administration resulted in an increased urinary output of androstenol and 17-oxosteroids only in two of the men and not in the women tested in either phase of the menstrual cycle.

Intramuscular injection of androstenol itself (20 mg.) resulted in increased levels of androstenol in the urine equivalent only to a very small proportion of the injected dose.

The metabolic origin of androstenol is discussed in the light of the results presented and of those of other investigators. It seems likely that androstenol arises not primarily from testosterone but mainly from an adrenal precursor.
ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION IN RATS AFTER LESION OF THE PITUITARY STALK
Authors: KOVÁCS K. , DÁVID MARGIT A. , LÁSZLÓ F. A.
Published: December 2008

Lesions were made in the pituitary stalk of rats, and the functional capacity of the hypophysial-adrenocortical axis of animals suffering from diabetes insipidus was studied. Eight days after the operation the weight, histological structure and histologically demonstrated lipid content of the adrenals had not changed. Whereas operative stress and unilateral adrenalectomy caused no ascorbic acid depletion in the contralateral adrenals, administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone induced a significant decrease. The corticosterone content of the adrenal venous blood decreased moderately, whilst in vitro the adrenal slices secreted less corticosterone than normally. Secretion of aldosterone by the adrenals of animals with lesions was not different from that of controls. When large doses of corticosterone were administered adrenal atrophy occurred in both operated and control rats.

It is concluded that the functional capacity of the hypophysial—adrenocortical axis is decreased 8 days after the destruction of the pituitary stalk, although the production of hormones by the adrenal cortex does not cease completely; one must be cautious in assessing the functional state of the adrenal glands since the methods used for their evaluation do not always give comparable results.
THE OVARIAN PRODUCTION OF A PREGNANETRIOL PRECURSOR
Authors: FOTHERBY K.
Published: December 2008

During the normal menstrual cycle the excretion of pregnanetriol increased on the day that the excretion of oestrone and oestradiol reached a maximum during the follicular phase. Pregnanediol excretion did not begin to increase until 2 days later. The excretion of pregnanetriol reached a peak and began to decrease before that of pregnanediol. Thus the pattern of pregnanetriol excretion was different from that of the excretion of oestrogens or pregnanediol.

Progestational steroids in a dose which inhibited ovulation prevented the rise in both pregnanetriol and pregnanediol excretion during the second half of the menstrual cycle.

The administration of oestradiol dibenzoate to two subjects did not affect pregnanetriol excretion.

It is suggested that the increased amounts of pregnanetriol excreted during the second half of the menstrual cycle arise from a precursor of pregnanetriol, most probably 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, secreted by the ovary.
INTERRELATION BETWEEN PROGESTERONE, 5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE AND HP 1325 IN THE DECIDUAL RESPONSE IN OVARIECTOMIZED MICE
Authors: LINDSAY D. , POULSON E. , ROBSON J. M.
Published: December 2008

Experiments were carried out to study quantitatively in ovariectomized mice the relationship between the dosage of progesterone and the formation of decidual tissue, and to determine whether this relationship would be modified by simultaneous administration of either 5-hydroxytryptamine or an amine oxidase inhibitor HP 1325. As neither of these drugs produced any change in the decidual response at two different levels of progesterone, their toxic effects are probably due to interference with the endocrine activity of the ovary.
THE INFLUENCE OF OVARIAN HORMONES ON SOME CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF THE UTERINE WASHING OF THE RAT AND RABBIT
Authors: HEAP R. B. , LAMMING G. E.
Published: December 2008

Uterine washings were recovered from intact rats and rabbits at different stages of the reproductive cycle and from spayed animals, some of which were treated with ovarian hormones. The washings were analysed for several chemical constituents.

In the rat at oestrus there was a marked increase in both the amount of uterine fluid and in several chemical constituents of the uterine washing (sodium, potassium, nitrogen, carbohydrate). Similar significant increases were shown in spayed rats treated with oestradiol. The uterine washing from the rabbit contained significantly greater amounts of potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen and carbohydrate during the luteal phase (pseudopregnancy) than at oestrus. These increases were confirmed in spayed groups treated with progesterone alone or with oestradiol + progesterone and also with oestradiol replacement therapy which was probably caused by excessive dosage. These findings showed that ovarian hormones affected the composition of uterine washings and their significance is discussed.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECT OF DERIVATIVES OF DITHIOCARBAMOYLHYDRAZINE ON GONADOTROPHIC ACTIVITY IN THE BODY FLUIDS OF PREGNANT MARES
Authors: SCHMIDT-ELMENDORFF H. , LORAINE J. A. , BELL E. T. , WALLEY J. K.
Published: December 2008

Serum and urinary gonadotrophin assays have been performed in three pregnant mares. The assays were conducted by the mouse uterus and mouse ovarian weight tests and the results expressed in terms of the international standard for Pregnant Mare's Serum Gonadotrophin as i.u. per litre.

Gonadotrophic activity was detected in the urine as well as in the serum of all three animals but the values in urine were much lower than those in serum.

Derivatives of dithiocarbamoylhydrazine, administered orally early in pregnancy, had no pronounced effect on the gonadotrophin levels in either serum or urine.
THE ANTI-HORMONE RESPONSE IN PIGEONS
Authors: IOVINO A. J.
Published: December 2008

Adult pigeons when given extended treatment with beef anterior pituitary extract will become refractory to the prolactin and gonadotrophic portions of the extract. Refractoriness to prolactin is indicated by the failure of the crops of the immunized birds to continue to respond, with typical hyperplasia, to the prolactin entity of the administered extract. That an antigonadotrophic factor is produced in the immunized adult pigeons is suggested by the finding that the spermatogenic activity in these birds was much less than that noted in birds receiving short-term treatment with anterior pituitary extract. In addition, the serum of the immunized birds significantly reduced the effects of the anterior pituitary extract on average size of ovarian follicles and hypertrophy of the epididymis in immature pigeons.
EFFECT OF OESTRADIOL-17β ON CLEAVAGE, NUCLEIC ACID METABOLISM AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN SEA URCHIN, STRONGYLOCENTROTUS PURPURATUS, EMBRYOS
Authors: JOLLEY W. B. , MARTIN W. E. , BAMBERGER J. W. , STEARNS L. W.
Published: December 2008

Oestradiol-17β at a concentration of 3 × 10−3 m inhibits cleavage in sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) embryos. This inhibition is accompanied by a reduction in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis and little change in ribonucleic acid (RNA).

The effects of oestradiol-17β upon the incorporation of glycine-1-14C and glycine-2-14C into the purines of DNA and RNA and the incorporation of glycine-2-14C into serine were studied. The incorporation of glycine-1-14C and glycine-2-14C into RNA was reduced, but the incorporation of glycine-2-14C into DNA was increased considerably over that of the controls. The incorporation of glycine-2-14C into serine was also accelerated by oestradiol. A possible explanation of the action of oestradiol-17β is offered.

The moderate effect upon RNA is not surprising because there is little or no synthesis of this compound from the time of fertilization to blastulation under normal conditions.
THE INFLUENCE OF FOETAL GENOTYPE ON EQUINE GONADOTROPHIN SECRETION
Authors: CLEGG M. T. , COLE H. H. , HOWARD C. B. , PIGON H.
Published: December 2008

The serum concentration of gonadotrophin during several stages of pregnancy was determined in seven mares bred to a stallion and in four mares bred to a jack. To eliminate individual differences, two mares were bred successively to a stallion and to a jack. When the mare is carrying a mule foetus the hormone concentration is approximately one-tenth that associated with a horse foetus. One mare carrying a mule foetus was killed on the 69th day of pregnancy. Though the endometrial cups appeared normal histologically, the endometrial cup secretion was scanty and low in potency. The amount of hormone in the cups themselves was also low.

The genotype of the foetus, we conclude, influences the secretory activity of the endometrial cups.
THE EFFECT OF SEX AND OF TESTOSTERONE ON TOXIC LIVER DAMAGE
Authors: BENGMARK S. , OLSSON R.
Published: December 2008

1. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase and fat content of the liver in male and female rats were determined at intervals after a single injection of carbon tetrachloride.

2. The female rats were more susceptible to the toxic agent in both the degenerative and regenerative phases.

3. Pretreatment of the female rats with testosterone propionate reduced the greater susceptibility and stimulated regeneration.
THE INITIATION AND MAINTENANCE OF LACTATION IN THE MARSUPIAL, TRICHOSURUS VULPECULA
Authors: SHARMAN G. B.
Published: December 2008

The mammary glands of the marsupial Trichosurus vulpecula (the brush possum) showed a cycle of development and regression correlated with the oestrous cycle. Mammary glands of pregnant females were not significantly heavier than those of non-pregnant females at comparable times after oestrus. There were no clear differences in histology between mammary glands of mated and non-mated females at the same number of days after oestrus until the 17th day. At this time the mammary glands of three non-mated females were clearly different from the glands of three post-partum females.

Lactation was initiated in six out of eight non-mated females, including one virgin female, by transferring newborn young, which attached themselves to teats, to their pouches. Of the six transferred young which attached all, except one, lived and showed normal growth.

The rate of regression of previously suckled mammary glands was slower in lactating than in non-lactating females. No clear evidence was obtained of hypertrophy of the non-suckled mammary gland following the attachment of a single young to the teat of the alternate mammary gland. However, the micro-anatomy of the non-suckled gland at 8 days after the onset of lactation suggested that milk may have distended the alveoli.

These observations are discussed in relation to the control of lactation in the female marsupial. It is suggested that, in marsupials, the hormones circulating during the oestrous cycle cause full mammary development and that the suckling stimulus of the newborn young is sufficient to initiate lactation. The yolk-sac placenta of the brush possum apparently plays no essential part in mammary gland development. Otherwise the pattern of lactation in the brush possum does not appear to differ from that of eutherian mammals.
THE ANTIDIURETIC PHASE OF WATER METABOLISM IN RATS AFTER LESIONS OF THE PITUITARY STALK. I
Authors: KOVÁCS K. , LÁSZLÓ F. A. , DÁVID MARGIT A.
Published: December 2008

Lesions were made in the pituitary stalk of rats using a Horsley-Clarke apparatus, and the water metabolism of these rats was investigated after oral administration of tap water or 0·9% NaCl. Diuresis increased temporarily after destruction of the stalk, then an oliguric phase lasting 1 or 2 days developed. Water retention was followed by a more permanent polyuria.

During the oliguric phase no diuretic reaction could be induced by oral administration of tap water or physiological saline solution. In that phase water consumption decreased, urine volume diminished with virtually unchanged creatinine excretion, and the specific gravity, sodium, potassium and chloride concentration of the urine increased. Treatment with cortisone, or oral administration of physiological saline or ethanol did not prevent water retention. The oliguric phase was observed only after stalk lesion; hypothalamic lesions distant from the stalk or subcortical lesions had no significant influence on the diuretic reaction.

It is suggested that in the development of the oliguric phase, antidiuretic hormone (ADH) released from the hypothalamo-hypophysial system damaged by destruction of the stalk may play a role.
BIOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF HUMAN PITUITARY FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE OBTAINED BY STARCH GEL ELECTROPHORESIS
Authors: BUTT W. R. , CROOKE A. C. , CUNNINGHAM F. J. , WOLF ANNELIESE
Published: December 2008

A highly potent preparation of human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was submitted to electrophoresis in starch gel. A fraction containing luteinizing hormone activity was separated from the main fraction of FSH. The latter showed no luteinizing activity by the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion method with 125 times the minimum effective dose in the assay for FSH. Synergistic joint action (see p. 544) was shown between the two fractions.

An antiserum raised to the follicle stimulating component was investigated by red cell haemagglutination-inhibition tests. Its titre was only slightly reduced after absorption with chorionic gonadotrophin and haemagglutination was inhibited by preparations of FSH containing 0·5 μg./ml. (1·5 mg. HMG 24/ml.), but not by solutions of chorionic gonadotrophin containing up to 100 i.u./ml. This is regarded as evidence that the antiserum is fairly specific for FSH.
THE USE OF 132I IN THE STUDY OF THYROID FUNCTION SHORTLY AFTER 131I TREATMENT
Authors: BINOPOULOS D. E. , KOSTAMIS P. , KOUTRAS D. A. , SFONTOURIS J.
Published: December 2008

The 2 hr. uptake of 132I was measured with a multi-channel analyser in thirty-four thyrotoxic patients, 3, 6 and 9 weeks after treatment with 131I, and the results were correlated with the clinical outcome assessed 3 months after treatment. Patients becoming euthyroid showed a lower mean uptake of 132I than those requiring further treatment. The difference was statistically significant at all three intervals, but there was a wide overlap of individual cases. It is concluded that radio-iodine tests shortly after treatment are of little value in predicting the eventual clinical outcome and in deciding whether additional treatment is required.
EFFECTS OF CEREBRAL LESIONS, BLINDING, AND DOMESTICATION ON GONADAL FUNCTIONS OF THE FEMALE FERRET
Authors: VAN DER WERFF TEN BOSCH J. J.
Published: December 2008

Lesions in the anterior part of the hypothalamus may hasten the onset of the annual breeding season of the female ferret, without affecting fertility. An early onset of oestrus was also noted in one ferret with a lesion that had been blinded by removal of the eyes. Four other doubly-operated ferrets remained anoestrous during the observation period; they had become markedly obese and displayed hyperphagia.

Removal of the frontal parts of the brain was not followed by early onset of oestrus, and did not interfere with fertility or with normal thyroid gland activity.

Ferrets kept in the laboratory (illuminated by artificial light only, and for 8 hr. per day) for more than 1 year—here designated as domesticated ferrets—develop an abnormal pattern of oestrous rhythm. Second and subsequent oestrous periods usually begin in the late autumn or early winter, and occurred with an interval of nearly 2 years in two ferrets followed for 3½ years. It is demonstrated that the inclusion of such ferrets in an experiment designed to note effects of an experimental procedure upon the time of onset of oestrus is not justified.
THE EXTERIORIZATION OF THE THYROID GLAND AND MEASUREMENT OF ITS FUNCTION
Authors: FALCONER I. R.
Published: December 2008

A new method for obtaining thyroid venous blood from an essentially undisturbed ewe has been developed. A lobe of the thyroid gland is transferred to the outside of the neck, in a carotid artery—jugular vein loop. The remaining lobe is removed.

The secretory function of the exteriorized lobe has been shown to be normal by 131I studies, measurement of protein bound iodine, response to T.S.H. and histological examination.

Cannulation of the jugular vein near the thyroid vein allows continuous or interrupted sampling of thyroid venous blood, the jugular flow being occluded by pressure.
DISSOCIATION BETWEEN THE CONTENT OF VASOPRESSIN AND NEUROSECRETORY MATERIAL IN THE RAT NEUROHYPOPHYSIS
Authors: MOSES A. M. , LEVEQUE T. F. , GIAMBATTISTA MARY , LLOYD C. W.
Published: December 2008

Vasopressin content and the staining of neurosecretory material with chrome-alum-haematoxylin-phloxin were observed in the neurohypophysis of rats following injection of formalin. The amount of neurosecretory material was reduced during the period up to 90 min. after formalin injection while no change in the vasopressin content was observed. These observations support the concept that the neurosecretory material is distinct from vasopressin and may be acting as a carrier or precursor for the hormones of the neurohypophysis.
THE EFFECT OF AUTOTRANSPLANTATION OF THE THYROID GLAND ON THE ONSET OF OESTRUS IN FERRETS
Authors: MARSHALL W. A.
Published: December 2008

In nine adult female ferrets the thyroid gland was autotransplanted to the deep surface of the rectus abdominis muscle. Six animals were subjected to sham operations in which both the thyroid gland and the deep surface of the rectus abdominis muscle were exposed, but the thyroid was not actually transplanted.

In the spring of 1961 the dates when signs of oestrus appeared in these two groups of animals were compared. There was no significant difference between the two groups; nineteen normal animals which were also kept under observation became oestrous at the same time.

From 17 November 1961 onwards, the animals were exposed to artificial light from 4.30 to 10.30 p.m. daily in addition to ordinary daylight. In this part of the experiment sixteen normal animals were kept under observation together with the two groups of animals which had been treated surgically. Again, there was no significant difference between the dates on which signs of oestrus appeared in the three groups.
THE EFFECT OF THYROID DEFICIENCY ON THE OESTROUS CYCLE AND CONCEPTION IN THE EWE
Authors: FALCONER I. R.
Published: December 2008

One half of a flock of twenty-four 3- to 4-year-old Merino ewes were thyroidectomized and the other half subjected to a sham-operation, oestrous cycles being recorded before and after surgery in both groups. A year later a record was again kept of oestrous cycles, and in both series of observations there were no apparent changes due to thyroidectomy.

An intact ram was run with the flock on two occasions, at 3 and 14 months, after thyroidectomy. As judged by lambing in the first instance, and dissection in the second, there were no effects of thyroidectomy on conception.

It was concluded that thyroidectomy has no apparent influence on the oestrous cycle and conception in the ewe.
THE ADRENOCORTICAL RESPONSE TO INSULIN-INDUCED HYPOGLYCAEMIA
Authors: LANDON J. , WYNN V. , JAMES V. H. T.
Published: December 2008

The adrenocortical response to stress as shown by an increase of the plasma cortisol concentration during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia has been studied. The response was found to depend upon the degree and duration of the hypoglycaemia and upon the integrity of the entire hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Thus, there was no response in subjects in whom the blood sugar did not fall below 40 mg./100 ml., nor in patients with severe hypothalamic or pituitary disorders.

The test was quick and simple to perform and did not require admission to hospital; it would seem to be of considerable value in the investigation of patients with suspected endocrine disease.
THE UPTAKE OF TRITIATED OESTROGENS BY VARIOUS ORGANS OF THE OVARIECTOMIZED MOUSE FOLLOWING SUBCUTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION
Authors: STONE G. M.
Published: December 2008

After subcutaneous injection in oil or saline the incorporation patterns of tritiated oestradiol and oestrone were studied in tissues classically regarded as reactive and non-reactive to oestrogens. The former incorporate far more activity than the non-reactive tissues. Incorporation of oestradiol and oestrone after injection in oil showed a similar pattern, although the uterus and vagina incorporated four times as much oestradiol as oestrone. Uptake from saline was more rapid with both compounds. The pattern with oestradiol injected in saline was similar to that with injection in oil, whereas with oestrone levels were high and declined from the earliest time studied.
THE URINARY METABOLITES OF PROGESTERONE LABELLED WITH TRITIUM AND CARBON-14 IN THE RABBIT
Authors: COOKE ALMA M. , ROGERS A. W. , THOMAS G. H.
Published: December 2008

1. A study is presented of the pattern of metabolites in the urine of the rabbit following the injection of progesterone labelled with tritium and with carbon-14.

2. It is shown that, in the conditions of this experiment, no significant loss of tritium occurs by exchange when progesterone, generally labelled with tritium, is injected.

3. In the rabbit, the great majority of urinary metabolites of progesterone are in the conjugated form.

4. The distribution of radioactive metabolites in the acid, neutral, water and phenolic fractions (see p. 301) of the urine shows a consistent pattern in pregnant and non-pregnant females, and in males, over a wide range of doses. The acid fraction contains the most radioactive material.

5. Following the injection of a mixture of progesterone-16α-3H and progesterone-4-14C, no evidence could be found for the presence of 16α-hydroxy-metabolites in any of the urine fractions.

6. The presence of 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one as a metabolite of administered progesterone is confirmed. Evidence is presented to show that it is an intermediate product in the conversion of progesterone to pregnanediol in the rabbit.

7. The metabolism of progesterone in the rabbit is compared with that in man, and the significance of the differences found is discussed.
PROGESTERONE IN THE UTERINE VENOUS BLOOD OF WOMEN DURING THE FIRST HALF OF GESTATION
Authors: FUCHS F. , FUCHS ANNA-RIITTA , SHORT R. V.
Published: December 2008

Progesterone determinations were carried out in twenty-eight samples of uterine venous blood collected from women between the 9th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy. The mean progesterone concentration was 35·4 μg./100 ml. plasma (range 8–97), which is ten times as high as the concentration in the peripheral blood.
COMPARISON OF THE APPARENT RATE OF CORTISOL TURNOVER DETERMINED BY ISOTOPE DILUTION AND CORTISOL SECRETION RATE
Authors: HARRISON F. A. , McDONALD I. R. , PATERSON J. Y. F.
Published: December 2008

The apparent rate of cortisol turnover was determined in conscious and anaesthetized sheep by injection of tritium-labelled cortisol. Simultaneously, the rate of cortisol secretion was determined by collection of adrenal venous blood. The apparent rate of cortisol turnover was found to be two to three times the rate of cortisol secretion.
LACTATION IN THE GOAT AFTER SECTION OF THE PITUITARY STALK
Authors: COWIE A. T. , DANIEL P. M. , KNAGGS G. S. , PRICHARD MARJORIE M. L. , TINDAL J. S.
Published: December 2008

The pituitary stalk was sectioned in a series of goats, some of which were pregnant and others lactating. At operation a plate was inserted to form a barrier between the cut ends of the stalk. Some of the goats operated on during pregnancy came into lactation a few days after aborting (9–17 days after operation). In the goats operated on during lactation there was an immediate marked fall in the milk yield, but it was found that lactation might continue at a reduced level for some considerable time.

Restoration of a substantial degree of lactation was obtained by giving a combination of somatotrophin, triiodo-l-thyronine, insulin and corticosteroids, without prolactin. Since lactation can only be restored in the hypophysectomized goat by giving prolactin in addition to these four hormones it seems probable that in the stalk-sectioned goat some prolactin is secreted by the relatively few surviving cells of the anterior lobe, although they are deprived of direct hypothalamic stimuli.
SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF 17-OXOSTEROIDS AND 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS IN PLASMA FROM NORMAL WOMEN
Authors: DESHPANDE N. , BULBROOK R. D.
Published: December 2008

The method of Deshpande & Bulbrook (1964) for the determination of total 17-oxosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) in blood has been employed in a study of fifty-two normal women of different ages. The results show that there is a significant correlation between age and the plasma levels of 17-oxosteroids and 17-OHCS. Contrary to similar studies on urines, no other parameter gave a significant correlation. Factors which might control the relative amounts of plasma 17-oxosteroids and 17-OHCS are discussed.
3β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY IN THE MOUSE LEYDIG CELL
Authors: BAILLIE A. H. , GRIFFITHS K.
Published: December 2008

One hundred and thirty-two male Swiss white mice were killed in batches of twelve, between birth and the end of the 10th week of postnatal life inclusive, a total of eleven groups. Sections of testis from every animal were incubated with three steroid substrates to demonstrate 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase histochemically. The substrates were (1) 3β: 17α-dihydroxypregn-5-en-20-one (17α-hydroxypregnenolone), (2) 3β-hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one (pregnenolone) and (3) 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (DHA). When 17α-hydroxypregnenolone was used as a substrate no 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was demonstrable in the testis until the end of the 10th week of postnatal life. With pregnenolone as a substrate 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was demonstrable throughout the age groups studied. It was present at birth and increased progressively until the end of the 6th week of postnatal life. Thereafter the activity decreased progressively during the ensuing 4 weeks. With DHA as substrate activity was again demonstrable in all age groups studied and increased progressively from birth until the end of the 7th week of postnatal life after which a relatively constant high level was maintained. On the basis of these findings the existence of more than one 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme is postulated, each enzyme being substrate specific.
THE EFFECT OF THYRO-PARATHYROIDECTOMY IN THE GOAT WITH PARTICULAR RESPECT TO CLINICAL EFFECTS AND CHANGES IN THE CONCENTRATIONS OF PLASMA CALCIUM, INORGANIC PHOSPHORUS AND MAGNESIUM
Authors: PAYNE J. M. , CHAMINGS JEAN
Published: December 2008

Thyro-parathyroidectomy was performed on thirty-two goats. Hypocalcaemia and hypophosphataemia set in rapidly, but after a few days the plasma calcium and inorganic phosphate concentrations tended to stabilize. Thereafter they remained low and more than twice as variable as normal. The plasma magnesium concentration also fell initially but slowly returned to normal limits. These changes were not due to the loss of thyroid glands because thyroidectomy did not induce the same changes and the effects were not reduced by supplementation with thyroid hormone.

Other changes were probably due to the low concentrations of plasma calcium, inorganic phosphate and magnesium. Young goats failed to grow normally and the density of the bones was reduced. Some goats developed cataracts. Although tetany occurred rarely there was a high incidence of a 'drowsiness syndrome' in which goats failed to eat, became debilitated and had to be slaughtered. Female goats failed to conceive, and abnormalities of gestation and lactation were observed.
THE USE OF THE OVARIAN ASCORBIC ACID DEPLETION TEST FOR MEASURING LUTEINIZING HORMONE IN HUMAN URINE
Authors: HUTCHINSON J. S. M. , WORDEN J. M.
Published: December 2008

The possibility of applying the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion assay or its variants to the measurement of luteinizing hormone in human urine extracts has been investigated.

A 3 hr. i.v. technique proved the most sensitive.

The method had limitations as a clinical assay, namely: a relatively low degree of precision, toxicity of some urinary extracts and the fact that about 20 % of assays were invalid owing to a lack of parallelism.

Two of ten patients with amenorrhoea and raised gonadotrophin levels showed a relative lack of FSH as compared with the International Reference Preparation for human menopausal gonadotrophin.
THE SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION OF HUMAN LUTEINIZING AND THYROTROPHIC HORMONES
Authors: HARTREE ANNE STOCKELL , BUTT W. R. , KIRKHAM K. E.
Published: December 2008

Ion-exchange chromatography was used to further purify a human pituitary fraction rich in thyrotrophic and luteinizing hormone activities. Approximately twofold concentration of both activities was obtained by chromatography on IRC-50 at pH 7·5, but the hormones were not separated. Subsequent chromatography on DEAE-cellulose at pH 9·5 led to a tenfold concentration of the luteinizing hormone in a fraction practically free of thyrotrophic activity and to a fourfold concentration of the thyrotrophic hormone in a fraction still exhibiting substantial luteinizing hormone activity.
EFFECT OF NEONATAL HYPERTHYROIDISM ON PITUITARY STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION IN THE RAT
Authors: EAYRS J. T. , HOLMES R. L.
Published: December 2008

1. Infant rats were given doses of l-triiodothyronine (T3) alone and combined with growth hormone during different periods of development. The effects of these treatments on the growth of the body and on the size and structure of the pituitary and thyroid glands have been examined.

2. At the dose levels given, the growth of the body and of the thyroid and pituitary glands was impaired. This impairment persisted in rats treated during the first 24 days of life and in animals in which treatment was confined to the 2–4th days long after injections had been discontinued and well into adult life. It did not persist in rats in which treatment was begun after the 14th day of age.

3. There were no obvious structural changes in the thyroid gland apart from its reduced size. All treatments were followed by pituitary changes characterized by a severe reduction, both in relative and absolute amount, of acidophilic tissue. There was only minor restoration of these changes after discontinuation of the hormone treatment except in rats injected after the 14th day in which recovery was complete. Changes in the amount of mucoid tissue (PAS-positive cells) were variable and generally of doubtful statistical significance. Non-secretory tissue was unaffected.

4. Administration of growth hormone in combination with T3 for the first 24 days of life did not give rise to effects which were noticeably different from those of giving T3 alone over the same period.

5. Possible explanations for these findings and the interrelationship between the pituitary changes and impaired growth are discussed.
THE EFFECT OF UNDERNUTRITION AND REHABILITATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS: PIGS
Authors: DICKERSON J. W. T. , GRESHAM G. A. , McCANCE R. A.
Published: December 2008

(1) During prolonged undernutrition in pigs from 2 to 3 weeks of age: (a) the tubules of the testes developed but the interstitial cells regressed and became unrecognizable; (b) the glans penis became large and oedematous; (c) the primordial follicles in the ovaries developed and some became large and cystic but ovulation did not follow; (d) the uterus and vulva enlarged.

(2) During rapid rehabilitation: (a) The vulva and testicles became much enlarged relative to the rest of the body; (b) the glans penis developed but the oedema disappeared and was replaced by collagen and cellular material; (c) the female animals did not ovulate until they were approaching the body weight at which ovulation normally occurs; (d) the seminiferous tubules of the testes showed active spermatogenesis when the animals were still relatively small but the interstitial cells did not reappear until later.
THE EFFECT OF UNDERNUTRITION AND REHABILITATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS: RATS
Authors: WIDDOWSON ELSIE M. , MAVOR W. O. , McCANCE R. A.
Published: December 2008

When rats were undernourished so that they gained only 20 g. body weight between the 3rd and the 11th week of life:

(1) The testes continued to enlarge; the seminiferous tubules developed, but the interstitial cells regressed.

(2) The penis of some of the animals protruded; in others protrusion was first observed on the day after rehabilitation began.

(3) The vaginae of more than half the females opened while the animals were still undernourished and had an abnormally small body weight.

(4) The ovarian follicles appeared active, but no corpora lutea were found. When the rats were returned to unlimited food, body weight increased, corpora lutea were formed, but the testes remained large as a percentage of the weight of the body.
THE EFFECT OF OESTROGENS AND ANTI-OESTROGENS ON DECIDUOMA FORMATION IN THE RAT
Authors: STONE G. M. , EMMENS C. W.
Published: December 2008

The maximum sensitivity to single subcutaneous injections of oestradiol or dimethylstilboestrol (DMS) occurred approximately 60 hr. after the induction of pseudopregnancy. Injection of the two compounds together at this time showed only an additive effect, suggesting that DMS was acting as a pro-oestrogen rather than as an anti-oestrogen.

Single subcutaneous injections of progesterone were unable to reverse completely the inhibitory action of oestradiol; 17-ethyl-19-nortestosterone was more effective.

Low doses of MER-25 (1-(p-2-diethylaminoethoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-2-p-methoxyphenylethanol) slightly reduced decidual growth while higher doses, which were oestrogenic, inhibited deciduoma formation and decidual growth. In combination with oestradiol low doses of MER-25 antagonized the inhibitory action of oestradiol.
THE IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF OESTROGENS FROM PROGESTERONE BY MOUSE ADRENAL GLANDS
Authors: VINSON G. P. , JONES I. CHESTER
Published: December 2008

The capacity of the adrenal gland of the mouse to form steroids in vitro, using incubation techniques with [4-14C]progesterone, was investigated. Reasons are given for the identification of two oestrogens, 16-oxooestrone and 17-epioestriol and two adrenocorticosteroids, corticosterone and 20α-hydroxycorticosterone. The presence or absence of the X zone did not appear to influence the relative amounts of oestrogens and adrenocorticosteroids produced. No compounds which could be unequivocally characterized as androgens (C19 steroids) were found.
THE ACTION OF HORMONES ON SPONTANEOUS HAIR GROWTH CYCLES IN THE RAT
Authors: EBLING F. J. , JOHNSON ELIZABETH
Published: December 2008

Hypophysectomy of, or administration of thyroxine to, male or female rats advances the activity of hair follicles in the ensuing wave of growth; administration of propylthiouracil retards it. The effects seem to be more marked in the dorsal and head regions than in the flank or belly. Propylthiouracil does not prevent the activation of the follicle induced by plucking of the club hair. It is suggested that the hormonal effects may be produced indirectly through the dermis. Hypophysectomy increased definitive hair length in females but not in males; thyroxine also produced a small increase and propylthiouracil a decrease which proved to be significant in females, but not in males.
DIFFERENTIATION OF URINARY CORTICOSTEROIDS ACCORDING TO THEIR OXYGEN CONTENT
Authors: EXLEY D. , NORYMBERSKI J. K.
Published: December 2008

An analytical method was developed which comprises the following successive operations: enzymic hydrolysis of urinary steroid conjugates; extraction and initial purification; reduction with potassium borohydride; paper-chromatographic separation into three fractions containing corticosteroid triols, tetrols and pentols, respectively; measurement of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and of 17-deoxycorticosteroids in each fraction. Subject to certain qualifications the outlined procedure is believed to account separately for the metabolites of cortisol, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, corticosterone and 11-deoxycorticosterone; it fails to distinguish between the metabolites of 21-deoxycortisol and 11-deoxycortisol.

Assays of urines from non-pregnant women, pregnant women and newborn children revealed a different pattern in the composition of urinary corticosteroids in each group of subjects.
THE SYNDROME OF CONGENITAL DEAFNESS AND SIMPLE GOITRE
Authors: THOULD A. K. , SCOWEN E. F.
Published: December 2008

Thirty examples of the syndrome of congenital deafness and simple goitre occurring in twenty-six families are reported. The affected children and adults were found to have a high tone nerve deafness, and to discharge thyroidal radioactivity when potassium perchlorate is given. They had a significantly low level of serum protein-bound iodine, and other evidence of hypothyroidism. Evidence is put forward for the theory that their deafness may be due to hypothyroidism occurring in utero, and an attempt is made to link the sporadic form of the syndrome with the form found in areas of endemic goitre.
INHIBITION OF OVULATION IN THE GONADOTROPHIN-TREATED IMMATURE RAT BY CHLORPROMAZINE
Authors: ZARROW M. X. , BROWN-GRANT K.
Published: December 2008

The effect of age and dose of a single injection of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMS) on spontaneous ovulation in immature Wistar rats is described. Ovulation could be induced by human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) at least 6 days before it occurred when pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin alone was given. Chlorpromazine was shown to block pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin-induced ovulation at a dose level (0·25 mg. in a 60 g. rat) which has no effect on the ovulatory response to human chorionic gonadotrophin. Higher doses interfered with the action of injected human chorionic gonadotrophin. Ovulation could be induced in the chlorpromazine-blocked animals by the systemic injection of an extract of bovine median eminence, but the sensitivity was too low to use this response for an assay method.
THE STEROID 11-OXYGENATION INDEX; A RAPID METHOD FOR USE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA
Authors: EDWARDS R. W. H. , MAKIN H. L. J. , BARRATT T. M.
Published: December 2008

The ratio, proposed by Hill (1960) (now called the 11-oxygenation index) of the urinary metabolites of cortisol precursors to those of cortisol, has been studied in detail. The index was determined in forty-eight adults and children without endocrine disorders. The mean was 0·32 ± 0·19 (s.d.). One abnormal value (1·3) was obtained from a child found to have normal adrenals at examination post mortem.

Ten patients with adrenal hyperplasia gave values of the index ranging from 1·1 to 8·4.

The procedure for determining the index involved borohydride reduction, periodate oxidation, formylation, paper chromatographic separation and a simplified Zimmermann reaction. Analysis of a batch of urine samples took less than 6 hr. to complete.

The merits of this method and those of the other laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of adrenal hyperplasia are discussed.
THE ABSORPTION OF ANTIBODY BY YOUNG HEDGEHOGS AFTER TREATMENT WITH CORTISONE ACETATE
Authors: MORRIS B. , STEEL E. D.
Published: December 2008

Oral or intraperitoneal administration of cortisone acetate to suckling hedgehogs had very little effect on the ability of the gut to absorb antibody. Such treatment had little effect upon the amount of alkaline phosphatase in the duodenum. These results contrast markedly with those described in the rat and mouse.

The amount of alkaline phosphatase in the hedgehog duodenum declines during the first 30 days of the suckling period. A transient increase occurs towards the end of this time, followed by a decline to adult levels.

The gut of the young hedgehog retains its capacity to absorb antibody for an unusually long period—certainly up to 41 days of age. Young hedgehogs begin to take solid food at 25 days and continue to suckle for at least a further 15 days. The transitional period during which the diet is altering from one of milk only to that of the adult is very much longer in this species than in the rat and mouse.
OXYTOCIN AND THE ONSET OF LABOUR IN RABBITS
Authors: FUCHS ANNA-RIITTA
Published: December 2008

The course of spontaneous delivery has been followed by continuous recording of uterine motility in conscious unrestrained rabbits from the 27th or 28th day post coitum until day 1 after delivery, which occurred on the 30th–31st day. The recordings were taken by means of an intra-uterine balloon. The results were similar whether the horn containing the balloon was non-pregnant, pregnant but with all the foetuses removed, or pregnant with only one foetus replaced by the balloon. Although the spontaneous motility increased somewhat within the last 48 hr. before delivery it remained irregular and of low intensity. The typical strong oestrogen-dominated activity of the 'parturient' rabbit uterus did not start until 4–6 hr. after delivery. The sensitivity to oxytocin of the uterus increased very markedly within the last 48 hr. before parturition and the delivery of a living litter was preceded by an extremely strong, oxytocin-like response in nine out of ten rabbits. This response could not be distinguished from that produced by a single i.v. injection of 250–300 m-u. of synthetic oxytocin. The young were born in rapid succession a few minutes after the beginning of this oxytocin-like response, and the delivery of the whole litter was completed in 11 min. on the average. No additional release of an oxytocin-like substance could be observed concomitantly with the delivery of the individual foetuses in these nine rabbits. One of the ten rabbits used had a prolonged labour and the foetuses were delivered dead several hours apart. In this instance the strong oxytocin-like response of the uterus was not observed.
A FLUORESCENCE ASSAY OF PROGESTERONE
Authors: HEAP R. B.
Published: December 2008

A fluorescence assay for the quantitative estimation of progesterone has been developed. The method consists of ether extraction of progesterone from alkali-treated tissue or plasma, isolation by descending paper chromatography, conversion to 20β-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one using the enzyme 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, purification by paper chromatography and fluorimetric estimation of the 20β-hydroxy isomer in 2:1 conc. H2SO2: 80% ethanol reagent. The addition of a trace amount of [4-14C]progesterone to each sample was used to correct for losses incurred during the above procedure.

The method was more sensitive and more specific than available methods of chemical estimation. Increased specificity was achieved by a number of modifying stages including enzymic conversion and chromatographic purification, the fluorescence reaction being carefully controlled to overcome its lack of specificity. The fluorescence of eluted paper blanks had a consistently low value of 4·5 ± 0·1 nanogram (ng.) Recoveries of known amounts of steroid from male guinea-pig plasma were 38·3 ± 7·3% and 35·4 ± 3·3%, measured by fluorescence assay and 14C counting respectively. Progesterone was estimated in rabbit ovarian tissue by fluorescence assay and u.v. spectrophotometry when the concentrations were sufficiently high. The fluorescence assay gave values which were slightly lower than by spectrophotometry. The technique has been applied routinely to blood plasma and other tissues of several mammalian species including laboratory animals.