bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NOCTURNAL GROWTH HORMONE SECRETION: CORRELATION WITH SLEEPING EEG IN ADULTS AND PATTERN IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH NON-PITUITARY DWARFISM, OVERGROWTH AND WITH OBESITY
Authors: Quabbe H.-J. , Helge H. , Kubicki S.
Published: December 2008

Half-hourly blood samples and continuous EEG recordings were obtained during nocturnal sleep in ten adults in whom a special sampling system working from the adjacent room was used in order not to disturb the sleep. In nine of the ten adults the first D/E-stage during sleep was accompanied by a significant increase in plasma growth hormone (HGH) (2.5 to 31.8 ng/ml). Of 16 subsequent D/E-stages only three were accompanied by HGH peaks.

Similar studies but without EEG recordings were done in 25 children and adolescents. HGH peaks comparable to those seen in adults occurred in normal children, children with constitutional or primordial dwarfism, with retarded growth associated with renal or with miscellaneous diseases and in children with overgrowth. These peaks frequently seemed to coincide with periods of deeper sleep as judged from observation of the children. There was no evidence that HGH peaks occurred less often or were smaller in dwarfed children or that children with overgrowth had higher or more frequent HGH peaks. However, fewer and smaller HGH peaks were seen in obese children, whether or not obesity was associated with overgrowth.

There was no correlation between nocturnal HGH peaks and variations in the concentration of blood sugar (BS), free fatty acids (FFA) or immunoreactive insulin (IRI).

No apparent correlation could be seen between the height of the nocturnal HGH peaks and the response of plasma HGH concentration to provocative stimuli.

It is concluded that nocturnal HGH peaks are related to, but not exclusively determined by phases of slow-wave sleep. They are not due to disturbance of sleep by the sampling procedure. Their pattern is the same in adults, normal children and in children with non-pituitary dwarfism or overgrowth. Obese subjects often have fewer and smaller nocturnal HGH peaks even when obesity is associated with overgrowth.
DETERMINATION OF TOTAL AND FREE SERUM THYROXINE IN THYROID DISEASES
Authors: Liewendahl K. , Tötterman J. , Lamberg B.-A.
Published: December 2008

The free thyroxine fraction in serum was determined by means of a rapid method based on the uptake of radioactive thyroxine by Sephadex (T4U). The corresponding values for percentage free thyroxine (PFT4) were obtained by simultaneous determination of the dialysable fraction. A good linear correlation was established between the two methods. Serum total thyroxine (T4) was determined by the competitive protein-binding technique. The concentration of the absolute free thyroxine (AFT4) was calculated. Of the three laboratory parameters tested, AFT4 showed the highest discrimination in both hyper- and hypothyroidism. The »free thyroxine index«, FT4I, which is a product of T4 and T4U, proved equally useful. Good results were also obtained with T4, whereas PFT4 showed the largest overlap with the normal values. PFT4 is important, however, for the calculation of AFT4. The rapid method for determination of the free thyroxine fraction described in this paper is suitable for routine use in the clinical laboratory.
EINFACHE KORREKTUREN ZUR ELIMINIERUNG UNSPEZIFISCHER FLUOROGENE BEI STEROIDBESTIMMUNGEN
Authors: Stahl F. , Dörner G.
Published: December 2008

Simple correction procedures are described for improvement of specificity in fluorometric determinations of unconjugated 11-OHCS (cortisol + corticosterone) as well as free + conjugated testosterone and androstendione in urine. They are based on the measurement of fluorescence intensities at different times of fluorescence development or at different wavelengths of the emission light using maximum and auxiliary excitation wavelengths. The corrected values are compared with those obtained with usual fluorometric measurements. The results indicate, that by the aid of corrections not only unspecific fluorogens are eliminated from crude extracts of body fluids but also »internal blanks« are obtained in steroid samples purified by chromatographic techniques.
SEPARATION OF GROWTH INHIBITING POTENCY FROM OESTROGENICITY IN DIFFERENT WEAK OESTROGENIC DRUGS OF VARIOUS CHEMICAL STRUCTURES
Authors: Herbai Georg
Published: December 2008

It was investigated in the mouse whether in some synthetic weak oestrogens the ability to inhibit sulphate incorporation rate in costal cartilage (and to retard body growth) is strictly bound to oestrogenicity. A new double isotope method was used which permits a correction of the sulphate uptake values in vivo for drug-induced alterations of the size of the exchangeable inorganic sulphate pool of the animals.

All drugs were given for 6 days. Oestrogenicity was tested by the uterotrophic assay. Fenocyclin®, TACE® and methallenestril (Vallestril®) all caused a marked and dose-dependent decrease of both the rate of sulphate incorporation and of the size of the sulphate pool. The drugs also caused retardation of the weight-gain of the animals but to varying degrees. The demethylated form of methallenestril was in all respects much more active than the parent compound. The (+)-antipode of the former was less oestrogenic, but a stronger sulphate uptake inhibitor than the (−)-antipode.

Sexovid® (cyclofenil; F 6066) and the related substance F 6088 caused a pronounced inhibition of sulphate incorporation without markedly affecting the size of the sulphate pool. The former was stronger weight-gain inhibitor than the latter.

For most drugs there was a clear-cut correlation between the sulphation inhibiting potency and the growth retarding potency but some of them (especially Fenocyclin®) were rather weak as weight-gain inhibitors. The potency ratios between sulphate uptake-inhibiting and uterotrophic effects of all studied drugs were much higher than that of oestradiol benzoate. The potency ratio was especially outstanding with Fenocyclin®, Sexovid®, F 6088 and with the (+)-antipode of demethylated methallenestril.

It is concluded that the growth retarding and sulphate incorporation-inhibiting properties of weak oestrogens are not strictly bound to classical oestrogenicity.
ANALYSIS OF TOTAL, GROUPED, AND INDIVIDUAL URINARY 17-KETOSTEROIDS: A CRITICAL EVALUATION
Authors: Matthijssen Charles , Goldzieher Joseph W. , Franco Christina , Wright Edna L.
Published: December 2008

The complex origin of urinary 17-ketosteroids on the one hand, and the need for technical simplicity on the other, make it desirable to have available a series of analytical methods. In some circumstances it may be sufficient to obtain a simple overall measurement which is highly non-specific; in others it may be desirable to measure, with greater specificity and at the cost of greater complexity, the 11-deoxy and/or the 11-oxy ketosteroid moieties; in still other circumstances it may be important to assess the excretion of the individual ketosteroids with methods of high precision and specificity, but of proportionately greater technical complexity. Various procedures have been investigated, especially with respect to accuracy and specificity. Hydrolysis with perchloric acid in tetrahydrofuran produces the same extensive destruction found with other mineral acids. The Girard reaction greatly improves specificity but does not remove all spurious Zimmermann chromogens. Thin-layer chromatography does not insure complete colorimetric specificity either, and it is found to be a prerequisite for quantitative gas chromatography. GLC using chloromethyldimethyl silyl ethers and 5α-dihydrotestosterone as an internal standard provides excellent separation and quantitation of the 7 individual 17-ketosteroids. Extensive precautions are required with GLC methods (including this one) to find and eliminate contaminants which have the same retention time as steroids of interest; the problem of specificity, so well known with Zimmermann chromogens, is not eliminated by the use of GLC.

A method is described for purification and group separation (11-oxy, 11-deoxy) of the 17-ketosteroids; this is followed by colorimetrie measurement of the groups or, after recombining them, by quantitative GLC analysis to measure the individual steroids.
EFFECTS OF SEROTONIN ON SPONTANEOUS OVULATION: A THEORY FOR THE DUAL HYPOTHALAMIC CONTROL OF OVULATION
Authors: Labhsetwar Anant P.
Published: December 2008

In an attempt to study the inhibitory effects of serotonin on spontaneous ovulation, the monoamine was administered subcutaneously to rats with 4-day oestrous cycles. Administration (50 mg/kg) at 5.00 p. m. on the day before pro-oestrus interfered with ovulation without affecting vaginal cornification, uterine ballooning or mating. This effect on ovulation could be overcome with methysergide, a specific antagonist of serotonin. Administration, at appropriate times, of LH or oestradiol benzoate or the stimulus provided by mating prevented the inhibitory effects of serotonin. implicating a central rather than a peripheral mechanism in interference with ovulation. This was further confirmed by the persistence in the serotonin-treated animals of high levels of pituitary LH, comparable to pro-oestrous levels. It is probable that serotonin blocked ovulation by augmenting the inhibitory effects of serotoninergic fibres in the hypothalamus. It is postulated on the basis of the present results and those reported in the literature that the hypothalamus exercises a dual control over ovulation, inhibitory influences being transmitted through serotonin-linked neurones while stimulatory effects are delivered via catecholaminergic fibres to neurones which synthesize releasing factor(s) for the ovulating hormone. It is postulated that a certain degree of balance in favour of the catecholaminergic system is necessary for the occurrence of ovulation. Inhibition of ovulation occurs whenever the serotoninergic system gains dominance over catecholaminergic system. The theory can account for the effects on ovulation of a multitude of chemically diverse agents reported in the literature.
DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIBODIES TO HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (HGH) IN CHILDREN OF SHORT STATURE TREATED WITH HGH
Authors: Waldhäusl Werner K. , Rath Franz
Published: December 2008

The development of antibodies against HGH (Raben) has been studied in 10 children with short stature who have been treated with HGH for from 4 months up to 5 years. Significant titres of antibody against HGH, > 1 : 3100, with a low avidity to 125I-HGH were found radioimmunologically by a simple double antibody immunoassay method in three out of 10 children. In these patients a concomitant decrease in the growth rate was observed simultaneously with the appearance of antibodies against HGH. The occurrence of clinically significant titres of antibodies against HGH in all three patients coincided with the administration of one single batch (no. 5) of HGH. However, two children who initially had shown a good response to therapeutic doses of HGH developed a rapid decrease growth rate after three years of successful treatment, without any evidence of detectable antibodies against HGH in the peripheral serum. The data obtained suggest that as well as antibodies against HGH, other factors may also account for the development of resistance to the therapeutic effect of HGH.
A COMPARISON OF SERUM PBI AND THYROXINE IODINE LEVELS
Authors: Farran Helen E. A. , Haiste Christine , Hoffenberg R.
Published: December 2008

Serum PBI and thyroxine iodine (T4I) levels have been compared in a large series of patients. A mean difference of 0.35 μg/100 ml was found in euthyroid subjects, but a much greater difference obtained when both values were high, whether the elevation resulted from hyperthyroidism, pregnancy or the administration of thyroxine or oestrogen. This discrepancy was greater in a group of patients with diffuse goitre than in those with nodular glands. A circulating non-thyroxine iodinated compound is thought to account for this discrepancy, the origins of which could lie in the thyroid gland, although peripheral deiodination of thyroxine seems more likely.
THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF [1-D-SERINE, 17–18-DILYSINE]-β-CORTICOTROPHIN-(1-18)-OCTADECAPEPTIDE-AMIDE
Authors: Maier René , Barthe Pierre L. , Schenkel-Hulliger Lotte , Desaulles Pierre A.
Published: December 2008

Compared with β-corticotrophin-(1-24)-tetracosapeptide (tetracosactide), [1-D-serine,17,18-dilysine]-β-corticotrophin-(1-18)-octadecapeptide-amide (CIBA 41,795-Ba) is a highly potent peptide in respect of its adrenal and extra-adrenal activities in the rat.

The adrenal steroidogenic activity of these two peptides in vivo varies according to the parameter measured. A comparison of the threshold doses reveals that 41,795-Ba is 10 times more potent than tetracosactide, but when the doses producing equal areas under the time-curves are compared, 41,795-Ba is 100 times more potent, while the duration of action of 41,795-Ba expressed in terms of the maximum plasma corticosterone concentrations is 4 times longer than that of the same dose of tetracosactide. The octadecapeptide is about 10 times more potent than tetracosactide in its capacity to evoke steroidogenesis in vitro, in depleting the adrenals of ascorbic acid, and in its melanophore-expanding activity. Its lipolytic potency is about 3 times greater than that of tetracosactide in vitro and about 100 times greater in vivo at threshold doses.

Preliminary studies in man have shown that 41,795-Ba possesses about 10 times the corticotrophic activity of tetracosactide and a longer duration of action.
LUTEINIZING HORMONE (LH) AND PROGESTERONE IN PLASMA AND LH AND OESTROGENS IN URINE DURING 42 NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLES
Authors: Johansson Elof D. B. , Wide Leif , Gemzell Carl
Published: December 2008

The plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone and the urinary excretion of LH and oestrogens were measured during the normal menstrual cycle of 22 young and healthy women. A total of 42 cycles were investigated. The urinary excretion of total oestrogens increased during several days before the rise of LH in the urine. The day of maximum excretion of LH and total oestrogens coincided during the midcycle period. The mid-cyclic rise in LH was found to occur on the same day in the plasma and urine and the days of maximum values coincided in 11 out of 16 cycles. In 5 cycles the maximum level was reached one day later in the urine. The plasma levels of progesterone started to increase during the LH and oestrogen peaks. The days for maximum levels of progesterone coincided with the second peak of urinary oestrogens. The levels of progesterone in the plasma reached values above 10 ng per ml in all normal cycles. The plasma levels of progesterone were below 1 ng per ml plasma when menstrual bleeding started. The length of the luteal phase was 14.4 ± 1.1 (s) days. The sum of daily urinary excretion of total oestrogens and the sum of the daily plasma progesterone levels varied within 15 per cent of the mean in five out of six women studied during more than two cycles. The variation in values for the sums of daily oestrogen excretion and plasma progesterone levels was considerably larger between menstrual cycles of different women than between menstrual cycles of the same woman.
THE MEASUREMENT OF OESTRADIOL AND PROGESTERONE IN PLASMA FROM NORMAL, INFERTILE AND CLOMIPHENE TREATED WOMEN
Authors: Robertson D. M. , Mešter J. , Kellie A. E.
Published: December 2008

The use of clomiphene to assess ovarian function in women has been monitored by the determination of plasma oestradiol and progesterone concentrations. The assay of both hormones was carried out on one plasma sample after separation of oestradiol and progesterone by TLC. The oestradiol was determined by double competitive binding to rabbit uterine supernatant (Robertson et al. 1971) and the progesterone by competitive binding to corticosteroid binding globulin. After clomiphene stimulation the oestradiol levels in the follicular and luteal phases exceeded those found in normal cycles; this was also true of progesterone concentrations during the luteal phase. The methods of assay were also used to follow changes in plasma hormone levels during the early stages of pregnancy in hitherto infertile women. These cases included a twin pregnancy and a pregnancy which terminated in abortion at 7 weeks.
THE MEASUREMENT OF HIGH-AFFINITY OESTRADIOL RECEPTORS IN HUMAN UTERINE ENDOMETRIUM AND MYOMETRIUM
Authors: Robertson D. M. , Mešter J. , Beilby J. , Steele S. J. , Kellie A. E.
Published: December 2008

The concentration of unoccupied high-affinity oestradiol receptors in the cytosol of human uterine endometrial curettings and biopsy tissue has been determined. In normal specimens, where the day of the menstrual cycle could be assessed histologically, a variation of tissue receptor concentration throughout the cycle was observed showing a maximum at mid-cycle and minima at the beginning and end of the cycle.

The distribution of oestradiol receptor sites in the endometrium and myometrium along the length of the uterus has also been studied. Highest concentrations in the endometrium were found in the fundus and these levels fell progressively to negligible concentrations in the isthmus and cervix. In general, the concentration of receptor sites in biopsy material was lower than in curettings and this observation has been related on the region of the uterus from which the samples were obtained. The concentration of receptor sites in abnormal uterine specimens lay within the normal range.
PERIPHERAL PLASMA PROGESTERONE LEVELS DURING THE CANINE OESTROUS CYCLE
Authors: Christie D. W. , Bell E. T. , Horth C. E. , Palmer R. F.
Published: December 2008

Plasma progesterone levels were determined in 16 Beagle bitches undergoing a normal oestrous cycle. The mean concentration rose during oestrus and a peak of 20.3 ng/ml was attained early in metoestrus. Considerable variation was noted between animals in respect of the magnitude and timing of the progesterone peak. The time of the highest progesterone values ranged from three days before the end of oestrus to Day 21 of metoestrus. The mean hormone levels remained elevated throughout metoestrus.

On the basis of the time of the initial rise in progesterone levels during oestrus and the oestrogen peak values in three animals, it is suggested that ovulation occurs on the first or second day of oestrus.
MELATONIN ON ENDOCRINE DNA CHANGES IN FEMALE RATS AT INCREASING AGES
Authors: Singh D. V. , Turner C. W.
Published: December 2008

Sixty female Sprague-Dawley-Rolfsmeyer rats were divided equally into three groups, twenty in each group at 25 days of age. One half of each group serving as controls received saline, the other half received 100 ftg melatonin/100 g body weight at 25, 35. and 45 days of age, for 10 days. They were killed 24 hours after the last injection. Pituitaries. ovaries, uteri, adrenals and thyroids were collected and weighed. DNA determination by the method described by Webb Se Levy (1955) was used for ovaries, uteri and adrenals only.

Pituitary weight was not affected much by the treatment of melatonin. Thyroid weight increased: adrenals, ovaries and uterine weight decreased gradually up to 55 days in melatonin treated group as compared to the control. Ovarian total DNA increased significantly at 35 days of age, but significantly decreased at 45 and 55 days of age in melatonin treated group as compared to the corresponding controls. No difference in total DNA in adrenals was found in melatonin treated animals as compared to control group at any age. The total DNA of the uteri increased 29 % at 35 days of age but decreased at 55 days of age by 14%. These data also show that the DNA/mg of endocrine glands dry fat free tissue decreased with increasing age suggesting a reduction in functional cells per unit weight in older animals.
THE UPTAKE AND DISTRIBUTION OF 14C-CLOMIPHENE CITRATE IN DIFFERENT ORGANS OF NEWBORN FEMALE GUINEA PIGS
Authors: Schulz K.-D. , Hölzel F. , Bettendorf G.
Published: December 2008

Newborn female guinea pigs received a single subcutaneous injection of 150 μg 14C-clomiphene/l00 g body weight. At different time intervals after clomiphene administration the radioactivity was measured in the cerebral cortex, hypothalamic region, pituitary, ovary, liver, adrenal gland and uterus. As early as 1 hour after injection 14C-activity was detectable in all the organs examined. Corresponding to the well-known anti-oestrogenic and oestrogen-like activities of clomiphene, the oestrogenresponsive tissues of the hypothalamic region, pituitary and uterus indicated a high affinity for this compound. Compared with the cerebral cortex, these organs showed a 2- to 7-fold incorporation of 14C-radioactivity 3 hours after the injection. In the uterus a rather constant 14Clevel was maintained during a period of 25 hours. A high uptake and retention of the labelled compound were also detectable in the liver and the adrenal gland. The ovary has the capacity to accumulate a large amount of the 14C-labelled substance. But this ability is only demonstrable during the first 6 hours after clomiphene administration; after this the 14C-activity decreases rapidly, like the 14C-level in the blood plasma. The relevance of this result for the direct effect of clomiphene on ovarian stereoidogenesis is discussed. Furthermore the distribution of l4C-clomiphene was studied in the nuclear, mitochondrial and microsomal fraction and in the particle free supernatant of the above mentioned organs.
UNTERSUCHUNGEN ÜBER DIE BEEINFLUSSUNG DER THYREOTROPHIN-INKRETION BEIM MENSCHEN
Authors: von zur Mühlen A. , Emrich D. , Hesch R. D. , Köbberling J.
Published: December 2008

Plasma concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured radioimmunologically in primary hypothyroid patients after administration of organic iodine (Endojodin®), iodoaminoacids, synthetic corticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisone. During intravenous injections of Endojodin® for 5 days there was a slight but significant decrease of plasma TSH. After oral application of 6 different l-iodoaminoacids in high doses over several days we observed in rough relation to their biologic activity a fall in TSH levels in plasma. D-thyroxine, however, was also active under these conditions. During infusions of synthetic ACTH (β1-24, β1-39) and cortisone in two different doses the TSH levels in primary hypothyroid patients decreased in the same way.

Synthetic thyrotrophin releasing factor (TRF) after intravenous application was followed by an abrupt rise in plasma TSH concentration in euthyroid and primary hypothyroid persons. In secondary hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients no or only slight effects were observed in the TSH levels. The possible employment of TRF in the diagnosis of thyroidal or hypophyseal disorders is discussed.
DIURETIC ACTION OF LITHIUM CARBONATE IN RATS
Authors: Schreiber V. , Roháčová J.
Published: December 2008

Water consumption and diuresis increased several-fold in rats chronically fed on a diet containing 0.2 % or 0.1 % lithium carbonate. Simultaneous hypometabolism produced by methylthiouracil feeding diminished polydipsia and polyuria. In acute experiments, polyuria decreased after the administration of high doses of vasopressin (2.5 U arginine vasopressin). The repeated administration of 2.5 U Pitressin tannate twice daily in these rats decreased polydipsia. In self-selection experiments, lithium carbonate – fed polyuric rats drank more 2 % NaCl solution than the controls.
DEPRESSION OF THE PROGESTERONE LEVELS IN WOMEN TREATED WITH SYNTHETIC GESTAGENS AFTER OVULATION
Authors: Johansson Elof D. B.
Published: December 2008

Norethisterone1), norgestrel, chlormadinone acetate or medroxyprogesterone acetate was given orally from the third day after ovulation or later for various numbers of days to healthy young women. The day of ovulation was calculated from the urinary excretion of oestrogens and the plasma levels of progesterone. The daily plasma levels of progesterone and the length of the luteal phase was used to evaluate the effect of treatment during 32 cycles. All four tested gestagens produced a significant depression of the plasma levels of progesterone. The dose required varied with the gestagen used. The lowest total dose used to produce this decrease in the progesterone levels was for norethisterone 30 mg, for dl-norgestrel 12 mg, for chlormadinone acetate 300 mg and for medroxyprogesterone acetate 360 mg. Apart from the total dose the duration of treatment seemed to influence the result. As expected the onset of menstrual bleeding was delayed despite plasma levels of progesterone below 1 ng per ml when the treatment was prolonged. Chlormadinone acetate delayed menstrual bleeding more than medroxyprogesterone acetate, norethisterone or norgestrel. The depression of progesterone production is probably mediated through an inhibition of enzyme systems in the corpus luteum. No true luteolytic effect could be assigned to the compounds tested, as injections of human chorionic gonadotrophin caused an increase in the plasma levels of progesterone, indicating the capacity of the corpus luteum to produce progesterone despite the inhibition caused by the gestagens.
CHANGES IN ENZYMES OF CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN RAT UTERUS DURING EARLY PREGNANCY
Authors: Surani M. A. H. , Heald P. J.
Published: December 2008

The enzymes phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK), isocitric dehydrogenase (ICDH), malic dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) have been measured in rat uterus during the first 9 days of pregnancy. It was found that after implantation on day 6, the activities of PFK and PK (the key glycolytic enzymes) increased in terms of dry weight — and in terms of protein in the implantation sites, but decreased in non-implanted tissue. The pentose shunt enzymes changed similarly to those of the glycolytic enzymes. ICDH activity increased in the non-implanted tissue and decreased in the implanted tissue. Changes in malic dehydrogenase were extremely variable and did not show a consistent pattern.

Administration of Actinomycin D on day 6 of pregnancy abolished the increase in PK and PFK in the implantation sites and indeed led to a major decrease in activity. This implies that the increased PK and PFK in the implantation sites, arise from a DNA dependent RNA directed synthesis of new enzyme protein. The results are discussed in relation to the energy requirement of the decidualising tissue and the need for increased pentose for RNA synthesis. It is suggested that the extra NADPH resulting from the pentose shunt is involved in increased lipid synthesis.
THYROIDAL CONTENT OF THYROCALCITONIN IN LACTATING RATS
Authors: Baksi Samarendra N. , Anderson Ralph R.
Published: December 2008

Thyrocalcitonin (TCT) content of thyroid glands was determined by bioassay in Sprague-Dawley-Rolfsmeyer rats at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days of lactation and found to be 476, 523, 762, 553 and 564 MRC mU per gland (5 rats on each day of lactation). A control group of normal virgin rats had 438 MRC mU per gland. These experiments indicate that at day 10 of lactation TCT content of the gland is significantly (P < 0.05) higher than any other day. The possible explanation of TCT accumulation is that during lactation animals undergo a mild hypocalcaemia due to large amounts of calcium drain in milk. Hypocalcaemia and lack of hypercalcaemic stimulation of TCT secretion have been reported to cause TCT accumulation in the thyroid gland. Though gland content does not necessarily reflect secretory status of a hormone, it is possible that less TCT is discharged from the gland during the middle of lactation.
THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE OF THE PLASMA PROLACTIN LEVEL TO OESTROGEN INFUSIONS IN DAIRY COWS
Authors: Schams D. , Karg H.
Published: December 2008

Prolactin in blood plasma samples obtained from cows was determined by radioimmunoassay. During infusion of 2 mg or 4 mg 17β-oestradiol/hour there was a depression of the prolactin level, which seemed to be pronounced during infusions of 6 or 12 mg 17β-oestradiol/3 hours. In the experiments in which 2-6 mg 17β-oestradiol were administered a 2-5 fold increase in the plasma prolactin concentrations occurred after the infusions were completed. In the experiment with 12 mg 17β-oestradiol the depression was sustained for 3 hours after infusion; the subsequent increase the next few hours was comparatively small.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EARLY HYPERCALCAEMIA SEEN AFTER NEPHRECTOMY IN RATS
Authors: Jørgensen F. Schønau
Published: December 2008

The concentration of calcium, magnesium and phosphate in serum was studied for 24 hours after nephrectomy in rats. An initial rise in calcium and magnesium concentration was seen whereas the phosphate concentration continued to rise. The early rise in serum calcium concentration was independent of the adrenal glands but the values after 24 hours showed subnormal serum calcium concentration in rats with intact adrenals and hypercalcaemia in rats in which the nephrectomy was done together with adrenalectomy.

Acetazolamide abolished the initial hypercalcaemia seen after nephrectomy without affecting the concentration of magnesium and phosphate. A rise in the serum calcium concentration after nephrectomy was also seen in parathyroidectomized and thyro-parathyroidectomized rats.

The results suggest that the initial rise in serum calcium concentration following nephrectomy is partly due to an increased parathyroid hormone activity and partly to an increased bone resorption probably induced by intracellular acidosis.
FUNCTION OF THE HUMAN OVARY DURING PREGNANCY AS REVEALED BY HISTOCHEMICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPE TECHNIQUES
Authors: Guraya Sardul S.
Published: December 2008

The function of the human ovary during pregnancy has been determined by correlating the results of recent histochemical, biochemical and electron microscope studies on its various compartments such as the follicle, corpus luteum and stroma (or interstitial gland tissue), when exposed to an unusual steroidal and gonadotrophic environment. The cytological, histochemical and biochemical characteristics of the theca interna cells of developing follicles, the theca lutein and granulosa lutein cells of the corpus luteum and highly developed interstitial gland cells of thecal origin, which are hyperstimulated during the later stages of pregnancy, have been shown to constitute the sites for the biosynthesis of steroid hormones. Their function is most likely to be the secretion of steroid hormones rather than the storage of hormone precursor (cholesterol-containing lipids) as a result of high levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG); this has been strongly supported by the direct analysis of multiple steroid secretions collected from the ovarian vein during pregnancy. The subcellular basis of steroid hormone synthesis has also been briefly discussed.

In addition to the theca interna, theca lutein, granulosa lutein and interstitial gland cells (which are active steroid secretors), many cells are seen with foamy cytoplasm filled with lipids. These are the senescent cells which are refractory to HCG available in abundance during pregnancy. A suggestion has also been made that further comparative studies of morphological and biochemical responses of ovarian compartments as well as of their steroidal secretions during pregnancy are of considerable biological interest and form a most promising field of future research.
METABOLISM AND MODE OF ACTION OF ANDROGENS IN TARGET TISSUES OF MALE RATS
Authors: Buric L. , Becker H. , Petersen C. , Voigt K. D.
Published: December 2008

Either 0.7 μg [1,2-3H] testosterone* (51 Ci/mm) or 0.8 μg [1,2-3H] 5α-dihydrotestosterone (44 Ci/mm) was administered intravenously to normal adult male rats 3, 7, and 12 days after castration. 30 min after the injection, the animals were sacrificed. Total radioactivity counting was performed on aliquots of extracts of blood, peripheral muscle, prostates and seminal vesicles. In a first TCL the extracts were separated into five fractions. Further purification by acetylation and repeated chromatographic procedures revealed, that fraction C consisted of about 90 % of testosterone, fraction D of varying amounts of 5α- and 5β-DHT, fraction E of androstanedione and androstenedione, and fraction B mainly of androstanediols. The following results should be mentioned: 1. The radioactivity uptake by the accessory sex organs was significantly higher than that of skeletal muscle. The highest values were found on day 3 after castration. 5α-DHT under all conditions produced higher concentrations in the target tissues than testosterone, whereas in skeletal muscle the opposite was found. 2. After testosterone administration testosterone was very efficiently converted to 5α-DHT in target organs. Nevertheless substantial amounts of testosterone and of androstanedione and androstanediols are present. In blood, however, only small amounts of labelled 5α-DHT were found. After 5α-DHT administration, in target organs, 5α-DHT was converted to androstanedione and androstanediols up to about 20%. In blood the bulk of radioactivity was related to the androstanediol fraction. No conclusion therefore can be drawn from the data obtained in blood on the metabolic events occurring in the target organs. 3. The sequence of metabolic events in the target tissues supports the concept of a preferred 17-hydroxy pathway and a lack of 5β-reductase.
METABOLISM AND MODE OF ACTION OF ANDROGENS IN TARGET TISSUES OF MALE RATS
Authors: Schmidt H. , Noack I. , Voigt K. D.
Published: December 2008

The effect of testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone on protein and nucleic acid content as well as on the activities of some enzymes has been studied in the ventral prostate and the seminal vesicles of immature castrated rats. Both androgens were given intraperitoneally in doses of 1 mg daily for one or three days the rats were sacrificed one day after the last injection. In the prostate it was found that 5α-dihydrotestosterone had a greater effect on DNA increase, i. e. cell proliferation than testosterone, whereas cell metabolism was stimulated by the two androgens to nearly the same extent. In the seminal vesicles a single dose led to the same results as had been obtained in the prostate, i. e. a greater cell proliferative action of 5α-dihydrotestosterone and an equal stimulation of cell metabolism by testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone was also observed. When three doses of the two androgens were given, cell proliferation as well as cell metabolism in the seminal vesicles were significantly more increased after 5α-dihydrotestosterone than after testosterone. The difference of action after systemic administration of the two androgens is explained by their different accumulation and by their different peripheral metabolism in the target tissues. From the partly independent effects of various androgens on cell proliferation and cell metabolism the conclusion may be drawn that there exist at least two intracellular sites of action.
ASPECTS OF CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN NEWBORN INFANTS OF DIABETIC MOTHERS. II
Authors: Mølsted-Pedersen Lars
Published: December 2008

In 23 infants of diabetic and 23 infants of non-diabetic mothers the disappearance rate of glucose (K value) was determined 1–6 hours after birth as well as on the 5th day of life.

In the normal group the K value increased from birth up to the 5th day of life, while on the other hand infants of diabetic mothers showed a marked decrease in K values over the same period.

Furthermore, a negative correlation between neonatal changes in K value and birth weight was found in the diabetic as well as in the non-diabetic group.

As a consequence of these alterations, the mean K value on the 5th day of life was no longer significantly different in infants of diabetic and non-diabetic mothers.
EFFECT OF OXYTOCIN AND ADRENERGIC DRUGS ON BOVINE REPRODUCTION
Authors: Auletta F. J. , Currie G. N. , Black D. L.
Published: December 2008

Oxytocin (100 U.S.P. Units) injected into cows from Day 3 through 6 post-oestrum caused short oestrous cycles (8.7 days). When superimposed on oxytocin treatment, norepinephrine (6–10 μg/kg) inhibited the oestrous cycle shortening effect of oxytocin (16.8 days), while isoproterenol (3 μg/kg) was ineffective (11.3 days).

The concentration of progesterone in jugular vein blood on Day 4 through 8 post-oestrum was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Progesterone levels on Day 4 through 6 post-oestrum, regardless of treatment, were not significantly different (P > 0.05). On Day 7, progesterone decreased significantly in the oxytocin and oxytocin + isoproterenol groups; in animals treated with oxytocin + norepinephrine the progesterone concentration increased significantly over other means (P < 0.01). These data support the idea that norepinephrine, an alpha adrenergic stimulant, inhibits the luteolytic action of oxytocin and isoproterenol, a beta adrenergic stimulant, is ineffective.
FSH AND LH LEVELS IN THE INTACT AND UNILATERALLY OVARIECTOMIZED CYCLING RAT
Authors: Peppler Richard D.
Published: December 2008

Intact 5-day cycling rats were killed between 8–10 a. m. on each day of the oestrous cycle; experimental rats were unilaterally ovariectomized (ULO) at 9 a. m. on day 1 (oestrus) and killed between 8 and 10 a. m. on days 2, 3, 4 or 1 of the subsequent cycle. Pituitary and plasma concentrations of FSH and LH were measured in both groups of rats. Pituitary FSH concentration was measured by the Steelman-Pohley method with slight modification; plasma FSH by the Igarashi-McCann assay and pituitary and plasma LH concentration by the OAAD method.

In intact rats, pituitary FSH values remained constant for the first three days of the cycle, increased on day 4 and reverted to early cycle values by day 5. Plasma FSH increased between days 2 and 3 and days 5 and 1. Pituitary LH concentration remained the same for days 1 and 2; increased two-fold on days 3 and 4, and increased further by day 5. Plasma LH increased between days 2 and 3; other differences between successive cycle days were not apparent.

Following ULO on day 1, pituitary FSH increased steadily, but not significantly, for the remaining cycle. Plasma FSH did not change from day 2 through day 1 of the subsequent cycle. Pituitary LH remained low on day 2, increased sharply by day 3 and decreased (50 %) by day 4. Plasma LH also increased between days 2 and 3. Other differences between successive days following unilateral ovariectomy on day 1 were not apparent.

Correlation of gonadotrophin activity with follicular development suggests that the mechanism of compensatory ovulation in the rat may be one of an increase in time of exposure to a constant gonadotrophic level for the duration of the oestrous cycle rather than to increased levels of the gonadotrophin.
A CORRELATIVE STUDY OF ULTRASTRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE THYROID GLAND OF THE GOLDEN HAMSTER
Authors: Seibel Hugo R. , Knigge Karl M.
Published: December 2008

Three procedures were used to stimulate thyroid function in the golden hamster 1) administration of thyrotrophin (TSH), 2) propylthiouracil (PTU) feeding; and 3) cold exposure. In the three experimental conditions, the composite of functional and morphological responses of the thyroid gland differed. Thyroid glands of TSH and PTU-treated hamsters, but not cold-exposed animals were characterized by marked increase in weight, due predominantly to increase in mass of epithelial cells; follicular epithelial cells of TSH and PTU-treated glands exhibited striking expansion and dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum and enlargement of the Golgi apparatus. These structural changes were not necessarily concomitants of increased thyroid hormone synthesis, since they were exhibited by glands from PTU-treated animals. Glands of TSH and PTU-treated animals also displayed marked increases in the number of microvilli and apical vesicles. Comparable increases were not seen in cold-exposed animals, even though some functional criteria of activity suggested that these glands were under the influence of TSH. The significance of this is discussed.
THE CONTENT OF THYROID HORMONES AND OTHER IODINATED COMPOUNDS IN THYROID TISSUE IN AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS
Authors: Lamberg B.-A. , Mäenpää J. , Kivikangas V. , Karlsson R. , Saarinen P.
Published: December 2008

The total iodine content and the content of iodocompounds in the thyroid gland were studied in 9 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. The thyroids were labelled in vivo with radioactive iodine before surgical biopsy. Five grams of tissue were homogenized and the iodocompounds were separated both by paper chromatography and on a cellulose column. The distribution profile of both the radioactive and the stable compounds was determined. The thyroid tissue contained on an average 11.0 ± 8.0 (sd) per cent of radioactive and 15.0 ± 9.4 per cent of stable iodothyronines. The MIT/DIT ratio was 1.16 ± 0.26 for the radioactive and 0.92 ± 0.30 for the stable compounds. Clinically evident hypothyroidism occurred only in patients with a very low iodine content and was not correlated with the proportion of iodothyronines found in the thyroid tissue. For instance, in two hypothyroid patients the iodothyronines corresponded to about 20 per cent of the iodocompounds of the tissue. These findings suggest that iodine depletion of the thyroid gland plays an important role in the development of clinical hypothyroidism in autoimmune thyroiditis and that up to a very late stage of the disease the thyroid is evidently capable of producing iodothyronines in fairly normal proportions.
INFLUENCE OF MAJOR SURGICAL STRESS ON PLASMA TESTOSTERONE, PLASMA LH AND URINARY STEROIDS
Authors: Monden Y. , Koshiyama K. , Tanaka H. , Mizutani S. , Aono T. , Hamanaka Y. , Uozumi T. , Matsumoto K.
Published: December 2008

Plasma testosterone levels were determined in 42 male patients both before 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks following pulmonary lobectomy. The plasma LH was measured in 13 of the 42 patients. There was a significant fall in the plasma levels of testosterone 1, 2 and 3 weeks after the pulmonary lobectomy but the levels returned to the control values from the fourth post-operative week onward. On the other hand, the level of plasma LH increased significantly one week after the operation when the plasma testosterone showed the most marked decrease.

The urinary 17-KS and 17-OHCS were measured in 27 of the 42 male patients, both before and 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after the operation. The total 17-KS was found to be significantly decreased 1, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation. The post-operative decrease resulted from a significant decrease in the excretion of C19O2-17-KS on the seventh postoperative day but thereafter the decrease mainly resulted from a decrease in C19O3-17-KS.

It is suggested that testosterone secretion from the testes seems to decrease for 3 weeks after major surgery. The decrease in the excretion of 17-KS observed after this post-operative period is caused by a decrease in the excretion of metabolites from adrenal androgens.
DER TESTOSTERON- UND ANDROSTENDIONGEHALT IM EBERHODEN IN ABHÄNGIGKEIT VOM ALTER
Authors: Elsaesser F. , König A. , Smidt D.
Published: December 2008

Testosterone and androstenedione were determined in the testes of 56 boars ranging in age from 2 to 20 weeks and in one 40-week-old animal. The testes were homogenized in 1 n NaOH in order to prevent enzymatic conversion of androstenedione to testosterone during analysis. The steroids were measured using TLC and gas-liquid chromatography with flame ionisation detection. Relatively high levels were found in 2-week-old animals (about 1 μg androgen/g tissue), the physiological significance of which remains to be explained. Continuing until onset of puberty, the testicular content of both androgens decreased markedly. From 10 weeks to 20 weeks the values increased, but there were considerable variations between one age group and another and even between animals of the same age. The highest testosterone content (0.25 μg/g tissue) was present in the testes of a 40-week-old boar, whereas androstenedione in this animal was so low that it was unmeasurable. Amounts of epitestosterone of similar order of magnitude of testosterone were estimated in 2- to 5-week-old animals and in the mature boar. The ratio of testosterone to androstenedione was about unity with a decreasing tendency until week 6, during puberty this ratio varied considerably and was about 10:1.
THE MEASUREMENT OF PLASMA OESTRADIOL AND PROGESTERONE IN WOMEN WITH AMENORRHOEA TREATED WITH GONADOTROPHINS
Authors: Robertson D. M. , Steele S. J.
Published: December 2008

Oestradiol and progesterone were measured in plasma of infertile women treated with human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). A total of 27 courses of treatment from 4 women were investigated. Plasma oestradiol was determined by a double competitive binding method and progesterone by competitive binding to corticosterone binding globulin.

A relationship exists between the levels of plasma oestradiol in the follicular phase and the occurrence of ovulation as determined by plasma progesterone measurements in the luteal phase. Ovulation was not detected unless the oestradiol levels were in excess of 30 ng/100 ml plasma on the 7th day of treatment. The value of monitoring women undergoing gonadotrophin treatment by this procedure is discussed.
MICROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF HUMAN TIBIAL GROWTH CARTILAGE IN VARIOUS FORMS OF DWARFISM
Authors: Stanescu V. , Stanescu R. , Szirmai J. A.
Published: December 2008

Microchemical determinations of glycosaminoglycans and collagen were preformed in isolated histological zones from sections of tibial epiphyseal plate biopsies obtained from children with growth disorders (pituitary dwarfism, congenital myxoedema, Turner's syndrome, Noonan's syndrome, mucopolysaccharidosis type VI, vitamin D resistant rickets and achondroplasia). Alternate sections were used for histochemical localization of glycosaminoglycans and proteins. The values were compared with those found in comparable zones of the growth plate from normal children of the same age.

The chondroitin sulphate concentration (% of defatted dry wt.) in the normal epiphyseal plate increased from the resting zone towards the proliferating/hypertrophic zone; collagen exhibited a reverse trend. In some of the pathological biopsies the concentration of chondroitin sulphate was slightly decreased whereas that of collagen was slightly increased. A marked increase in the collagen concentration was found in achondroplasia. The solubility profiles of the cetylpyridinium complexes of the chondroitin sulphate fraction showed three main peaks with slight but characteristic differences in the various zones of the normal cartilage plate. Significant shifts in the proportion of these peaks were observed in several pathological biopsies, indicating possible deviations from the normal molecular characteristics of the chondroitin sulphate. Analysis of the main chondroitin sulphate fraction, obtained from pooled samples of normal tibial growth plate after fractionation on the macroscale, indicated that all three peaks contained both chondroitin-4 sulphate and chondroitin-6 sulphate and that they probably differed in their molecular weight.