bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
URINARY GONADOTROPHINS IN THE SERTOLI-CELL-ONLY SYNDROME
Authors: Christiansen Peter
Published: December 2008

In order to study the hypophyseal-testicular axis in males with complete absence of germinal epithelium, the urinary total hypophyseal gonadotrophins (HG), urinary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured by specific bioassays in 12 males with classical Sertoli-cell-only syndrome and compared with HG, FSH and LH in normal and castrated men. HG and FSH were significantly higher than HG and FSH in normal men (P < 0.0025, P < 0.0005, respectively), but significantly lower than in castrated men (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, respectively). LH was not different from LH of normal men, but significantly lower than in castrated men (P < 0.0005). All patients had normal excretion of androgen metabolites (androsterone + aetiocholanolone) but a dexamethasone suppression test, performed in 8 subjects, revealed that in 2 cases of testicular origin, the values were below the normal range. The excretion of oestrogens was within the normal range.

The presented data support the concept that the germinal epithelium produces a substance capable of inhibiting FSH secretion from the hypophyses, the Sertoli cell itself, however, having a basal production of this inhibitor. The finding of low excretion of testicular androgen metabolites in some of the patients and normal urinary LH, indicates that disturbances in the LH – testosterone feedback mechanism in such patients may occur and that the previous concept of isolated defects of spermatogenesis in all such patients was erroneous.
INFLUENCE OF PROGESTERONE ON THE MITOCHONDRIAL SIZE IN THE UTERINE GLANDS OF THE RAT, MOUSE, HAMSTER, AND GUINEA-PIG
Authors: Nilsson Ove
Published: December 2008

The administration of progesterone produced giant mitochondria in the gland cells of the rat uterus but not in those of the mouse, hamster, and guinea-pig uteri. Chloramphenicol did not impede the appearance of the giant mitochondria. The implication of the differential response of the mitochondria is not yet known.
EFFECT OF LONG-TERM TESTOSTERONE OENANTHATE ADMINISTRATION ON MALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: CLINICAL EVALUATION, SERUM FSH, LH, TESTOSTERONE, AND SEMINAL FLUID ANALYSES IN NORMAL MEN
Authors: Mauss J. , Börsch G. , Bormacher K. , Richter E. , Leyendecker G. , Nocke W.
Published: December 2008

The effect of long-term testosterone administration on male reproductive function has been investigated in seven healthy young men age 20 to 27 years. Testosterone oenanthate (TOe) was administered in doses of 250 mg per week for 21 weeks. No toxic side-effects were observed. Libido, sexual potency, frequency of sexual intercourse and body hair development generally remained unaffected, but there was a reversible mean weight gain of 3.6 kg during TOe administration. Seminal fluid parameters and radioimmunoassayable serum FSH, LH, testosterone, and androstenedione levels were monitored before, during, and after TOe administration. The serum testosterone rose approximately by a factor of two, while the serum FSH and LH were rapidly suppressed after the initiation of the TOe therapy. The mean sperm concentration fell to values below three million spermatozoa per ml, and changes in sperm motility, the percentage of normal sperm morphology, and seminal fructose concentrations generally paralleled those of the mean sperm concentrations. In contrast, the mean seminal fluid volume and serum androstenedione levels did not change significantly during TOe administration. The mean sperm concentration showed a marked recovery 13 to 16 weeks after TOe withdrawal, but sperm counts remained below pre-treatment levels in three out of seven subjects 25 to 28 weeks after discontinuation of TOe.
PHOTOPERIODIC CONTROL OF LH RELEASE IN THE RAM
Authors: Pelletier J. , Ortavant R.
Published: December 2008

The influence of variations in the duration of light photoperiod on LH release has been studied in intact and castrated rams submitted to a 6 months "annual" light rhythm. Blood was collected once a month and the plasma LH levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. In intact rams, the LH level is decreased when the light photoperiod is increased, but as soon as this photoperiod begins to decrease, a sharp increase (about 80%) in the LH level is observed. Thereafter a slow decline in plasma LH occurs until the photoperiod reaches a minimum. In the castrated animals, the plasma LH level is three to four times higher than in the intact animals but the pattern of the variations with regard to the light photoperiod duration, is essentially the same. Thus an increase of 59 and 43 % in plasma LH occurs in the two breeds used when the light photoperiod begins to decrease.

These results indicate that hypothalamo-hypophyseal activity is modulated by gradual changes in the duration of light photoperiods either in the presence or absence of androgens.
MEASUREMENT OF RAT LH WITH A DOUBLE-ANTIBODY SOLID-PHASE RADIOIMMUNOASSAY: EFFECT OF LH-RH AND OF TESTOSTERONE OENANTHATE IN CASTRATED ANIMALS
Authors: Dericks-Tan J. S. E. , Taubert Hans-Dieter
Published: December 2008

A double-antibody solid-phase radioimmunoassay for the measurement of rat LH was described. The use of a solid-phase method for the second incubation resulted in a considerable saving of time as compared to the conventional double-antibody method. The sensitivity and accuracy of the method were not affected by this modification. It was found that there was a cross-reaction between the NIAMD-anti-rat-LH-serum-1 used and NIAMD-rat-FSH-RP-1. This indicates that the test system does not specifically measure rat LH but gonadotrophic activity.

The RIA was tested under different experimental conditions. In male rats, the effect of castration and of subsequent treatment with testosterone oenanthate upon serum LH, and upon the weight of the seminal vesicles, the ventral prostate, and the levator ani, was examined. Serum LH rose rapidly after castration and reached 2 to 4 weeks after orchidectomy a maximum (8–9 fold increase). Subsequent treatment with testosterone oenanthate caused a rapid decrease of serum LH. The accessory sex organs showed reciprocal changes of weight.

In oophorectomized rats whose pituitaries had been blocked with oestradiol monobenzoate and progesterone, a linear log-dose response of plasma LH was found after administration of various doses of synthetic LH-RH.
STIMULATION WITH THYROTROPHIN-RELEASING HORMONE (TRH) DURING ANTITHYROID TREATMENT
Authors: Lauridsen Ulrik Birk , Kirkegaard Carsten , Friis Thorkild , Siersbæk-Nielsen Kaj
Published: December 2008

During antithyroid treatment a total of 88 TRH tests was performed in 56 clinical euthyroid patients. 56 % had negative response to TRH (i. e. Δ TSH < 2 μU/ml) after being treated in average 12.6 months and no relation between the duration of treatment and the outcome of the TRH test was found. In the group with positive TRH tests (i. e. Δ TSH > 2 μU/ml) the mean T4 value was slightly decreased (5.8 ± sd 2.5 μg/100 ml) while the mean T3 value was normal (121 ± sd 32 ng/100 ml). The group with negative TRH tests had quite normal serum T4 values (9.3 ± sd 3.1μg/100 ml) but in general high normal or elevated serum T3 values (175 ± sd 31 ng/100 ml). Our results seem to indicate that serum T3 is of greater importance than serum T4 with regard to the outcome of the TRH test. The majority of the cases with negative TRH tests, however, had serum T3 and T4 values within normal range. In almost all patients with a negative TRH test a negative T3 suppression of 131I uptake in the thyroid gland was found while a positive TRH test was not correlated with suppressibility of 131I uptake.
EFFECT OF THE EXPOSURE TO COLD ON THE EXTRATHYROIDAL CONVERSION OF L-THYROXINE TO TRIIODO-L-THYRONINE, AND ON INTRAMITOCHONDRIAL α-GLYCEROPHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY IN THYROIDECTOMIZED RATS ON L-THYROXINE
Authors: Bernal J. , Escobar del Rey F.
Published: December 2008

Thyroidectomized rats have been injected daily with 125I labelled L-thyroxine (T4*) and, once isotopic equilibrium was attained, divided into cold-exposed (4–10°C) and control (21–24°C) groups, the daily T4* administration being continued till the end of the experiment. Fourteen days after onset of cold exposure, the total I* of different organs and of the carcass was determined and the tissues submitted to extraction and paper chromatography for the separation of T4 and T4-derived I-containing compounds. The activity of intramitochondrial α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (α-GPD) was measured in kidneys and liver. It was found that the total amount of I* was intensely decreased in all samples from cold-exposed animals. The proportion of this I* which was non-extractable was the same, in all tissues, for cold-exposed and control rats. The % of extractable tissue radioactivity in the form of T4 was decreased, and that found as T4-derived T3 was increased, in all samples from cold-exposed animals.

The T3/T4 ratio was increased more than two-fold in all tissues studied. The concentration of T4 decreased significantly in all tissues, whereas the concentration of T3 in tissues of cold-exposed rats did not decrease. It actually increased in kidneys and lungs, and remained the same in liver and carcass. Despite the decrease in the concentration of T4 in the kidneys, α-GPD activity was increased in this tissue, where the concentration of T3 was increased. No change in the α-GPD activity was found for the liver, where the concentration of T3 was the same for cold-exposed and control rats.

Thus, it appears likely that the conversion of T4 to T3 is increased by the exposure to cold of thyroidectomized rats on a constant dose of T4. α-GPD activity in a given tissue appears to be more closely related to the concentration of T3, than to that of T4.
COMPLETE INHIBITION OF ADRENOCORTICAL RESPONSES FOLLOWING SCIATIC NERVE STIMULATION IN RATS WITH HYPOTHALAMIC ISLANDS
Authors: Feldman Shaul , Conforti Nisim , Chowers Israel
Published: December 2008

Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that in rats with hypothalamic islands the adrenocortical response to photic and acoustic stimulation was partially inhibited indicating that they were at least to a certain degree neurally mediated, though ether stress produced normal adrenocortical responses. With the purpose of determining to what extent afferent somatosensory connections to the hypothalamus participate in the activation of adrenocortical responses following sciatic nerve stimulation, the effects of this stimulus applied through chronically implanted electrodes were studied on the plasma corticosterone levels in pentobarbital anaesthetized intact animals and in rats with hypothalamic islands. Ether stress or sciatic nerve stimulation for 2 min in intact rats produced a rise of plasma corticosterone to 32.1 ± 1.2 and 32.1 ± 1.8 μg/100 ml, respectively. However, in animals with hypothalamic islands the corresponding values were 29.2 ± 1.8 and 12.4 ± 0.8 μg/100 ml, respectively. The latter value was not significantly different from the basal corticosterone levels (13.0 ± 1.2 μg/100 ml) found in rats 15 min after pentobarbital anaesthesia, the time when the sciatic stimulus was applied. The present data indicate that the adrenocortical discharge following sciatic nerve stimulation is completely inhibited by hypothalamic deafferentation and therefore depends entirely on the activation of the afferent neural pathways to the hypothalamus.
THE IMMUNOGENIC PROPERTIES OF HIGHLY PURIFIED INSULIN PREPARATIONS. THE CLINICAL IMPORTANCE OF INSULIN-BINDING ANTIBODIES
Authors: Andersen O. Ortved
Published: December 2008

Twenty-four diabetic patients were treated with porcine protamine-insulin (NPH-insulin) containing 7–13 mmol proinsulin per mol insulin and 27 diabetic patients were treated with porcine protamine-insulin (HP-insulin) containing 0.36 mmol proinsulin per mol insulin. 75 % of the patients treated with NPH-insulin and 15 % of the patients treated with HP-insulin formed detectable insulin-binding antibodies. The difference in the antibody titre in the two groups was significant. As a group, patients treated with HP-insulin did not have a significant rise in the plasma insulin-binding capacity when compared to pre-treatment values. When comparing patients with antibodies and patients without detectable antibodies no difference in the degree of regulation could be demonstrated between the two groups. Young patients with antibodies had a higher insulin requirement per kg per day than patients without detectable antibodies.

Among patients in remission those without detectable antibodies had a longer remission period than those with antibodies. Apart from the difference in antibody formation and hence a different distribution in the groups compared, the patients treated with NPH-insulin and HP-insulin did not differ with regard to the degree of regulation, the insulin requirement or the duration of the remission period.
INFLUENCE OF CORTICOTROPHIN ON URINARY 17-KETOSTEROID EXCRETION IN ADRENALECTOMIZED FEMALES
Authors: Vejlsted H. , Kehlet H. , Nielsen Meta Damkjær , Blichert-Toft M.
Published: December 2008

Urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids was measured during dexamethasone substitution followed by ACTH (Synacthen Depot®, 1 mg daily) in 10 non-virilized adrenalectomized women. No significant changes could be demonstrated indicating ovarian androgenic dependence of ACTH in non-virilized females.
EFFECTS OF DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE ON LH RELEASE INDUCED BY LH-RH IN MEN
Authors: D'Agata R. , Gulizia S. , Andò S. , Polosa P.
Published: December 2008

In order to determine the effect of dihydrotestosterone on the feed-back mechanism of the hypothalamo-pituitary-testis axis, nine healthy subjects were subjected to LH-RH tests before and after treatment with 5α-DHT. A double antibody radio-immunoassay technique was used to measure the concentration of LH and FSH in the plasma.

Our results clearly show that the pituitary LH release by LH-RH after pre-treatment with 5α-DHT is more pronounced. In the light of actual findings from several laboratories it is not possible to interpret clearly the results of our own experiments, and hence we advance only some hypotheses.
EFFECT OF CB-154 (2-Br-α-ergocryptine) ON SERUM FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE, LUTEINIZING HORMONE AND PROLACTIN IN WOMEN WITH THE AMENORRHOEA-GALACTORRHOEA SYNDROME
Authors: Seki Katsuyoshi , Seki Mitsunori , Okumura Toshiko
Published: December 2008

Four women with the amenorrhoea-galactorrhoea syndrome were treated with 2-Br-α-ergocryptine (CB-154). In 3 patients, lactation was inhibited and ovulation was induced. Furthermore, pregnancy was achieved in one of them. In the remaining case, neither was lactation inhibited nor ovulation induced. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) were measured sequentially in the 4 CB-154 treated women. They showed high serum PRL levels and acyclic patterns of serum FSH and LH. CB-154 suppressed PRL secretion and stimulated FSH and LH secretion in 3 cases where lactation was inhibited and ovulation was induced. In the one unsuccessful case, serum PRL decreased only slightly and the serum FSH and LH showed no marked changes.
CHANGES IN PITUITARY PROLACTIN LEVELS OF FEMALE HAMSTERS AS A FUNCTION OF AGE, PHOTOPERIOD, AND PINEALECTOMY
Authors: Reiter Russel J.
Published: December 2008

Exposure of intact female hamsters to light:dark cycles of 1 h light alternating with 23 h darkness (LD 1:23) led to involution of the reproductive organs, a drop in prolactin levels within the anterior pituitary gland, and hypertrophy of the intrascapular brown fat. All of these changes were prevented if the animals were pinealectomized. Pituitary prolactin levels in control hamsters maintained in LD 14:10 cycles also decreased during the 8 week experimental period. Pituitaries of hamsters killed at the end of the experiment contained about four-fifths less prolactin than those necropsied at the beginning of the study.
AGE DEPENDENCE OF PLASMA OESTROGEN RESPONSE TO HCG AND ACTH IN MEN
Authors: Kley H. K. , Nieschlag E. , Krüskemper H. L.
Published: December 2008

Twelve men, 19–40 years old, and 12 men, 60–86 years old, were given ACTH and in a second test series, HCG. Oestrone, oestradiol-17β and cortisol were measured in the plasma before and after stimulation. Under basal conditions oestrone and oestradiol as well as the percentage binding of testosterone increased significantly with age, whereas cortisol remained unchanged. The administration of HCG resulted in higher levels of both plasma oestrone and oestradiol in older subjects than in younger ones, although the percentage increase was smaller. ACTH stimulation leads to higher levels of oestrone in the older group, whereas oestradiol remained unchanged. Cortisol rose 3.5 fold in both groups. Regarding absolute concentrations of oestrone and oestradiol the ability of the adrenals and of the testes to respond to exogenous gonadotrophin and adrenocorticotrophin appeared to be preserved despite ageing, though the relative responses of oestrone and oestradiol after HCG and of oestrone after ACTH were decreased in old as compared to young men.
IMMUNOHISTOLOGICAL LOCALIZATION OF ANTIGENS RELATED TO HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN AND HUMAN PLACENTAL LACTOGEN IN THE UTERUS OF PREGNANT BEAGLE DOGS
Authors: El Etreby M. F. , Soulioti G.
Published: December 2008

A cross-reaction of anti-HCG and anti-HPL sera with related tissue antigens in normal beagle dog pregnant uteri, from thirty days of pregnancy to term, is reported.

Using the immunoglobulin-peroxidase bridge technique, specific staining is localized in the glands of the spongy layer and in the deep uterine glands, but it is absent from the trophoblasts of the placental labyrinth. A specific reaction product is also observed in the surface and glandular epithelium of the chorion laeve.

These findings suggest that certain antigens, which share antigenic determinants with HCG and HPL, are produced in the endometrial epithelium and not in the trophoblastic villi of pregnant beagle dogs.
PATTERNS OF BODY WEIGHT CHANGE IN RATS FOLLOWING NEONATAL HORMONE MANIPULATION: A "CRITICAL PERIOD" FOR ANDROGEN-INDUCED GROWTH INCREASES
Authors: Tarttelin M. F. , Shryne J. E. , Gorski R. A.
Published: December 2008

The development of sexual behaviour and gonadal function is largely determined by the early postnatal hormone environment in the rat; testosterone propionate (TP) treatment in the neonatal female will stimulate development of predominantly masculine functional characteristics. On the other hand, removal of the testes from neonatal males results in feminization of these characteristics. It has been shown that an optimal neonatal steroid hormone environment is also essential for normal growth. We now report the effects of different doses of TP (10, 30, 90, or 270 μg) given on postnatal days 2, 3, 4, or 5 on growth as measured primarily by body weight. Only treatment in the 30–270 μg range on days 2 or 3 was effective in causing significant growth changes, however, these same doses caused sterility and impaired female sexual behaviour when given on days 4 or 5. Therefore, there appears to be a "critical period" before the fourth postnatal day when TP can affect processes leading to increased growth. Removal of the neonatal testes retards growth to the levels of the androgenized females. The ovaries of the female TP treated rats still have a restraining influence on growth since their removal produces an increment in body weight similar to, though not as great as, that of the normal ovariectomized rat. These findings suggest that neonatal TP administration may possibly reduce the responsiveness of rats to the growth depressing effect of ovarian steroids by action at a site functionally different from that producing sterility and impaired sexual behaviour.
BINDING OF THE 35S OF 35S-PROPYLTHIOURACIL BY FOLLICULAR THYROGLOBULIN IN VIVO AND IN VITRO
Authors: Papapetrou Petros D. , Mothon Stella , Alexander W. Donald
Published: December 2008

Radioactivity was found bound to follicular thyroglobulin after administration of 35S-propylthiouracil (PTU) to rats. Denaturation of the thyroglobulin using various procedures could not separate the 35S from the protein; it was concluded that the 35S is bound to thyroglobulin covalently. Fractionation of saline-soluble thyroid proteins was performed by ultracentrifugation on sucrose gradients. The PTU-sulphur/thyroglobulin (S/Tg) molar ratio was calculated in all fractions. One hour after the injection of PTU the S/Tg molar ratio was the same for 19S thyroglobulin from rats on stock diet and 18S thyroglobulin from rats on low iodine diet. Injection of KI to the animals before administration of 35S-PTU significantly reduced the ratio. The highest S/Tg ratio 1.10 was noted at 19S thyroglobulin, 17 h after a single injection of PTU. Daily injection of PTU for six days increased the S/Tg ratio to 3.3. Inverse relationship between dose of PTU and S/Tg ratio was noted at one hour. In animals injected with large dose of 35S-PTU and sacrificed several hours later the S/Tg was higher at the 12S subunits than at the 19S protein. The amount of PTU bound to 3–8S subunits was minimal. Sulphite liberated 64 % of the 35S bound to thyroglobulin which appeared as four compounds on thin layer chromatography plates. The main 35S compound liberated by sulphite was sulphate.

In vitro incubation of 35S-PTU or 35S-sulphate with bovine thyroglobulin showed that sulphate does not bind to thyroglobulin, while PTU or more probably an unknown metabolite of PTU (which contaminates even an oxygen free water solution of PTU) is attached to thyroglobulin by covalent bond.

It is concluded that the 35S of PTU or of an unknown metabolite of PTU different from sulphate binds to follicular thyroglobulin in vivo. The 35S of PTU is accepted by disulphide bonds of the thyroglobulin molecule.
STEROID HORMONES AND THEIR BINDING IN PLASMA OF MALE PATIENTS WITH FATTY LIVER, CHRONIC HEPATITIS AND LIVER CIRRHOSIS
Authors: Kley H. K. , Nieschlag E. , Wiegelmann W. , Solbach H. G. , Krüskemper H. L.
Published: December 2008

Oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A) and cortisol (F) as well as LH and the percentage of binding of E1, E2, T and F in plasma were measured and compared in normal young and old male subjects and in male patients with fatty liver, chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. The alterations seen were most marked in the cirrhotic patients, but were partially also found in patients with fatty liver and in normal old subjects: a definite increase in E1, a smaller increase in E2, a decrease in T and a rise in LH. F remained unchanged. The ratios of E2/T and E1/T were higher in cirrhotic patients than in healthy young subjects. As the percentage of bound T in plasma rose, the oestrogen/androgen imbalance was greater in patients with liver disease and in old subjects than the ratio of total hormone plasma concentration indicates. The biological relevance of the extremely high E1 plasma concentrations in patients with cirrhosis of the liver is not known. It is suggested that the combination of elevated E1 and E2 and reduced T, which is strongly bound by increased sexual hormone binding globulin (SHBG) may be responsible for gynaecomastia and hypogonadism in chronic liver diseases. As similar alterations of steroid plasma concentrations and their binding to plasma proteins are found both in patients with liver disease and in old men, these changes may be caused by the same mechanism: namely an altered liver function.
ALDOSTERONE AND CORTICOSTERONE PRODUCTION IN RENAL HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Dietz R. , Mast G. J. , Möhring J. , Vecsei P. , Gless K. H. , Oster P. , Gross F.
Published: December 2008

The development of hypertension, which had been elicited by clamping one renal artery in the presence of an untouched contralateral kidney, has been pursued in rats for up to six weeks after operation, and aldosterone and corticosterone production was studied at various intervals.

Two weeks after renal artery stenosis had been induced, a "benign" and a "malignant" course of hypertension could be distinguished, the latter being characterized by a rise in blood pressure beyond 180–190 mmHg, loss of salt and water, increased water intake, decrease in body weight and food intake, and stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system.

In the early phase of hypertension (after 9 days), aldosterone production and plasma aldosterone concentration were already elevated, and so was plasma corticosterone concentration. After 16 days, a marked increase in aldosterone production and in both plasma aldosterone and corticosterone concentrations was obtained in malignant hypertensive rats, whereas the secretion of the two hormones was only slightly stimulated in benign hypertensive rats. Similar differences in aldosterone production between rats with benign or malignant hypertension were found 21 and 42 days after operation.

After 21 days, a close relationship between plasma renin concentration and aldosterone production was obtained in malignant hypertensive and control rats. A positive correlation between plasma concentrations of angiotensin II and of aldosterone was calculated for rats with malignant hypertension.

It is concluded that, in the malignant phase of renal hypertension, a state of secondary aldosteronism develops as a consequence of negative sodium and water balance induced by high blood pressure.
THE USE OF ANTISERUM TO RAT PROLACTIN TO EVALUATE ITS ROLE AS LUTEOTROPHIN IN THE HAMSTER
Authors: Sairam M. R. , Rao A. Jagannadha , Li Choh Hao
Published: December 2008

Rabbit antisera to rat prolactin was found to cross-react with the hamster pituitary extract by double diffusion and quantitative precipitin techniques. Short term neutralization of prolactin by antiserum to rat prolactin either in early or late stages of gestation did not have any deleterious effects. Prolonged administration of rat prolactin antiserum resulted in an increase in the incidence of resorptions, but pregnancy was still maintained followed by normal parturition. This is in marked contrast to the abortive effects of an antiserum of ICSH. It was concluded that prolactin does not play a major role in maintaining pregnancy of the hamster.
SERUM TSH AND SERUM T3 LEVELS DURING NORMAL MENSTRUAL CYCLES AND DURING CYCLES ON ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
Authors: Weeke Jørgen , Hansen Aage Prange
Published: December 2008

Serum TSH and serum T3 levels were studied in 35 normally menstruating women and in 35 women on oral contraceptives in order to find out whether the levels of TSH and T3 were related to the menstrual cycle or changed by oral contraceptives. Serum TSH and T3 were found to be unchanged throughout the normal menstrual cycles and during the cycles of oral contraceptives. The TSH level was higher in the women on oral contraceptives than in the normally menstruating women. This might be due to a direct thyroid inhibitory effect of oestrogen. As could be expected the levels of T3 and T4 were higher in women on oral contraceptives than in normally menstruating women.
RELATION BETWEEN THYROID FUNCTION AND SERUM LEVELS OF LONG-ACTING THYROID STIMULATOR
Authors: Davis J. C. , Hipkin L. J. , Summers V. K. , Gimlette T. M. D.
Published: December 2008

Bioassays of long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS) were performed in three groups of subjects: in normal controls, in thyrotoxic patients before and serially after 131I treatment, and in patients with hypopituitarism. Of the untreated thyrotoxic patients, 27.7 % had raised serum LATS levels initially. There was no correlation between the relapse rate after 131I therapy and the initial or subsequent LATS titres: in particular, thyrotoxicosis sometimes recurred after an initially high LATS titre had fallen into the normal range. The distribution of the results of LATS assays in the hypopituitary patients was significantly different from that in the normal subjects; 4 out of 27 hypopituitary patients had LATS levels above the normal range, although they had no thyroxicosis. On the other hand, the majority of the patients with hypopituitarism, 19 out of 27, had LATS titres below the mean normal level, possibly due to deficiency of a substance we have termed pseudo LATS. These results raise doubts about a direct causative role for LATS in most cases of thyrotoxicosis.
THE CHARACTERIZATION OF POLAR CORTICOSTEROIDS IN THE URINE OF THE MACAQUE MONKEY (MACACA FASCICULARIS) AND THE BABOON (PAPIO HAMADRYAS)
Authors: Setchell K. D. R. , Gontscharow N. P. , Axelson M. , Sjövall J.
Published: December 2008

Computerised gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed in the identification of polar corticosteroid metabolites excreted in the urine from the macaque monkey (Macaca fascicularis) and the baboon (Papio hamadryas). The following steroids were identified in significant amounts in the urine from both species: 3α,17α,20α,21-tetrahydroxy-5β-pregnan-11-one; 3α,17α,20β,21-tetrahydroxy-5β-pregnan-11-one; 5β-pregnane-3α,11β,17α,20α,21-pentol; 5β-pregnane-3α,11β,17α,20β-pentol; 5α-pregnane-3β, 11β, 17α,20β,21 -pentol.

11β,17α,21-Trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (cortisol), 11β,17α,20β,21-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and 11β, 17α,20β,21 -tetrahydroxy-5ξ-pregnan-3-one were identified in macaque monkey urine. Two steroids, 17α,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnane-3,11-dione and 17α,20α,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11-dione were excreted as major C21 metabolites in the baboon but were not identified in the urine from the macaque monkey. 3β-Hydroxy-5α-pregnane metabolites were identified in the urine from both species. All these steroids were excreted conjugated to glucuronic acid, evidenced by their recovery after hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase enzyme.

An efficient 20β-reduction of corticosteroids in both species is apparent, and the excretion pattern of polar steroid metabolites in the two species was shown to be similar.
CORRELATION BETWEEN HCG (LH)-BINDING CAPACITY, LEYDIG CELL NUMBER AND SECRETORY ACTIVITY OF RAT TESTIS THROUGHOUT PUBESCENCE
Authors: Pahnke V. G. , Leidenberger F. A. , Künzig H. J.
Published: December 2008

Male rats varying in age from 10 to 110 days were examined for testosterone concentration of serum and testicular tissue and 125I-HCG-binding capacity of testicular tissue. In addition, the Leydig cell number of testes was determined using two different staining methods.

It could be demonstrated that specific 125I-HCG-binding capacity of rat testis increased with age up to 60 days of life. This rise was accompanied by an increase in serum and testicular testosterone concentrations and can be explained by a concomitant increase in Leydig cell number up to this age. The calculated specific 125-HCG-binding capacity per Leydig cell does not change from day 30 to 110 of life. This finding is in contrast to the 125I-HCG-binding capacity per Leydig cell at day 10 and 20, the former being 5–6 times higher than in the age groups of 30 to 110 days. The observation of high 125I-HCG-binding capacity per Leydig cell at day 10 and 20 is discussed in the light of simultaneous elevated serum and testicular testosterone concentrations.
EFFECT OF METHYLERGOBASINE MALEATE ON SERUM GONADOTROPHIN AND PROLACTIN IN HUMANS
Authors: Perez-Lopez F. R. , Delvoye P. , Denayer P. , L'Hermite M. , Roncero M. C. , Robyn C.
Published: December 2008

Intramuscular injection of 0.2 mg methylergobasine maleate3) (Methergin®, Sandoz) in women on day 3 post-partum, in regularly menstruating women and in adult men, is followed within 30 to 75 min by a 50 % decrease in serum prolactin concentration: the levels remain low until 180 min and increase between 180 and 240 min. The amplitude of the decrease is the same when prolactin is measured in terms of the same serum prolactin standard by a homologous ovine assay and by a homologous human assay. However, in the case of regularly menstruating women and of men serum prolactin concentration is some three times higher when estimated by the ovine assay than when estimated by the human assay. This difference between assay results obtained by the two radioimmunoassay methods could be due to heterogeneity of serum prolactin. However, non-specific effects of serum are not excluded. In regularly menstruating women and in men, intramuscular injection of 0.2 mg methylergobasine maleate is followed within 45 to 75 min by a 50% decrease in immunoreactive serum LH concentration without concomtant change in immunoreactive FSH. The depression of LH secretion lasts for 1 to 2 h. The circulating levels of HCG in post-partum women are not modified after intramuscular injection of Methergin. In humans as in animals and in in vitro studies, inhibition of prolactin and LH release induced by ergot drugs are likely due to both an indirect effect via the hypothalamus and to a direct effect on the pituitary cells.

Finally, these data suggest that, because of its interference with prolactin secretion, intensive treatment with ergot drugs during the post-partum period may impair lactation.
PLASMA PROLACTIN LEVELS AFTER TRH AND CHLORPROMAZINE IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND PATIENTS WITH IMPAIRED PITUITARY FUNCTION
Authors: Schwinn G. , von zur Mühlen A. , Köbberling J. , Halves E. , Wenzel K. W. , Meinhold H.
Published: December 2008

Basal plasma prolactin levels and values after stimulation with TRH and chlorpromazine respectively were measured. TRH tests were performed in 50 healthy subjects (25 women and 25 men). The basal prolactin levels and the maximum increment were found to be as follows in women 22.02 ng/ml ± 5.02 sem and 100.0 ng/ml ± 11.3 sem respectively, in men 16.62 ng/ml ± 2.46 sem and 45.26 ng/ml ± 5.70 sem respectively. The maximum prolactin increase after chlorpromazine in 6 men amounted to 64.77 ng/ml ± 8.28 sem respectively and in 12 women, 6 of them taking hormonal contraceptives, 81.0 ng/ml ± 16.53 sem. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups of women.

The behaviour of plasma prolactin under stimulation in patients with impaired pituitary function was compared with the other trophic pituitary functions before therapy, in 7 patients before and after hypophysectomy and 15 patients only after therapy. In addition 6 patients with tumours adjacent to the pituitary and 3 women with Sheehan's syndrome were investigated. Plasma prolactin before and after stimulation was not pathologically changed in all cases. After surgery the prolactin levels were also normal in many patients. In most of them slight or marked elevation of prolactin levels were found.

There was no good correlation between the trophic pituitary functions in most cases. It seems that prolactin measurement under stimulation conditions is the most sensitive indicator of a residual pituitary function.
AN IMPROVED TECHNIQUE FOR TRANSAURICULAR HYPOPHYSECTOMY AND AUTOTRANSPLANT OF ISOLATED PIECES OF PARS INTERMEDIA TISSUE IN THE EVACUATED PITUITARY CAPSULE OF THE RAT
Authors: Naik D. V. , Sheriff T. Abdul Qadir
Published: December 2008

An improved technique for transauricular hypophysectomy in rats, weighing 120–300 g, is described. This method can be used for transplantation studies, which is demonstrated by transplanting pars intermedia tissue into the evacuated pituitary capsule. Our technique has been carried out, successfully, in various laboratories. The success, however, depends upon the skill and care of the investigator.
THE PHARMACOLOGY AND METABOLISM OF TESTOSTERONE UNDECANOATE (TU), A NEW ORALLY ACTIVE ANDROGEN
Authors: Coert A. , Geelen J. , de Visser J. , van der Vies J.
Published: December 2008

Testosterone undecanoate (TU), either dissolved in arachis oil or as micro-crystal suspension, displays androgenic activity on oral administration to rats in the Hershberger test. The solution in arachis oil is more active than the crystal suspension. When [3H]TU is administered orally to rats, most of it is metabolized in the intestinal wall. The majority of the metabolites probably lose their undecanoate group and are absorbed via the portal vein. The non-metabolized [3H]TU and at least two metabolites are absorbed exclusively via the lymphatic system. One of these metabolites has been identified as 5α-dihydrotestosterone undecanoate (5α-DHTU). TU has no harmful effects on the liver of the rabbits on oral administration.
THE BINDING OF INSULIN AND SOMATOMEDIN A TO HUMAN PLACENTAL MEMBRANE
Authors: Takano K. , Hall K. , Fryklund L. , Holmgren A. , Sievertsson H. , Uthne K.
Published: December 2008

A particulate membrane fraction from human placental membrane was shown to be rich in binding sites not only for insulin but also for somatomedin A. The binding of the 125I-labelled peptide was time and temperature dependent. Degrading activity present in the membrane fraction was negligible at +4°C. The Scatchard plot for insulin binding revealed two types of binding sites with an apparent high affinity constant of 3.8× 108 m−1 and with 5.4 × 10−9 moles of binding sites per mg of membrane protein. The Scatchard analysis of somatomedin A revealed two classes of binding sites with an apparent high affinity constant of 2.7 × 107 m−1 and with 1.9× 10−8 moles of binding sites per mg of membrane protein. In high concentrations insulin interfered with the specific binding sites for somatomedin A and vice versa. In comparison with insulin the somatomedin A preparation was one million times more potent in displacing labelled somatomedin A than in displacing labelled insulin from their respective binding sites.

A radioreceptor assay utilizing particulate placental membrane and labelled somatomedin A purified on the membrane enabled the determination of somatomedin in unextracted serum. The mean values of somatomedin A in sera from patients with pituitary dwarfism and acromegaly were 0.57 and 3.2 U/ml, respectively by radioreceptor assay and 0.41 and 1.61 U/ml, respectively by bioassay. Various causes of this discrepancy between the methods are discussed.
THE RATE OF TRIIODOTHYRONINE DISSOCIATION FROM BINDING SITES IN HUMAN PLASMA
Authors: Hillier A. P.
Published: December 2008

A method is described for estimating the rate of triiodothyronine (T3) dissociation from binding sites in human plasma. At trace concentrations about 25 % of the hormone dissociates rapidly, the reaction being more than half complete within 1 second. The remaining 75 % dissociates exponentially with a t½ of 4.2 seconds at 37–38°C. When the plasma is loaded with thyroxine to displace the T3 from thyroxine-binding globulin, the slow exponential reaction is lost and all of the hormone dissociates rapidly. These results indicate that the free and bound T3 in plasma are in a state of rapid exchange.
RADIOIMMUNOASSAYS OF 3,5,3′-TRIIODO-L-THYRONINE WITH AND WITHOUT A PRIOR EXTRACTION STEP
Authors: Burger A. , Sakoloff C. , Staeheli V. , Vallotton M. B. , Ingbar S. H.
Published: December 2008

Two radioimmunoassays for triiodothyronine (T3) are described, one of which includes an extraction step, while the other does not. To raise antibodies, two carrier proteins and different coupling agents were used, namely haemocyanin and diazotized benzidine or human serum albumin and carbodiimide. In the case of T3 coupled to haemocyanin by diazotized benzidine, evidence of covalent binding of the hapten to the protein was obtained. In the case of T3 coupled to human serum albumin, little evidence of covalent linkage was available. Nevertheless immunization was successful in both cases.

The radioimmunoassay in unextracted serum was highly reproducible and precise (intra-assay variability 5.2% inter-assay variability 8.1%). Normal values were determined which clearly indicate a fall in the serum T3 concentration with increasing age. In men the fall occurs in the fifth decade. In women the T3 starts to fall only after 70 years of age. In 31 cases of hyperthyroidism the serum T3 concentration ranged from 2.26 to 10.4 ng T3/ml. In 10 cases of hypothyroidism the values ranged from 0 to 0.8 ng T3/ml.

The radioimmunoassay using an extraction procedure was less extensively used since it was found to be less reproducible (intra-assay variability 7.5%, inter-assay 12.25%). The normal values were determined with a mixed population aged 20–50. The mean ± 2 sd was 0.9 ± 0.36 ng T3/ml (n=52). In 17 cases of hypothyroidism the values ranged from 0 to 0.6 ng T3/ml and in 22 cases of hyperthyroidism from 2 to 14.4 ng T3/ml.
DIURNAL VARIATIONS OF PLASMA ALDOSTERONE IN SUPINE MAN: RELATIONSHIP TO PLASMA RENIN ACTIVITY AND PLASMA CORTISOL
Authors: Armbruster Helmut , Vetter Wilhelm , Beckerhoff Rainer , Nussberger Jürg , Vetter Hans , Siegenthaler Walter
Published: December 2008

In order to investigate the role of renin secretion and of ACTH on the circadian rhythm of plasma aldosterone (PA), plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma cortisol (PC) and PA were determined at short-time intervals in 10 normal supine men. Six subjects were studied under a normal sodium intake and 4 under sodium restriction. In 4 subjects the secretion of ACTH was suppressed by dexamethasone.

Under normal sodium intake changes in PA seemed to be more in parallel with changes in PC than by those in PRA as indicated by a higher significant correlation between PA and PC than between PA and PRA in 3 of the 4 subjects. In 1 subject no correlation was observed between PA and PC despite visual synchronism between the plasma concentrations of both hormones. Under dexamethasone medication fluctuations in PA were followed by those in PRA while PC was less than 2 μg/100 ml. In the sodium restricted state, changes in PA were closely paralleled and significantly correlated to PRA while no correlation was seen between PA and PC. Under dexamethasone medication the significant correlation between PA and PRA persisted.

Our results indicate that in normal supine man the influence of ACTH and renin on PA may vary with different sodium intakes.

Under normal sodium intake ACTH seems to be the dominant factor controlling PA, whereas under sodium restriction changes in PA are mediated through the renin angiotensin system.

When the secretion of ACTH is suppressed by dexamethasone, renin controls PA both under normal and low sodium intake.
ADRENAL POTASSIUM AND SODIUM IN EXPERIMENTAL HYPER- AND HYPOALDOSTERONISM IN THE RAT. DETERMINATION BY ELECTRON PROBE X-RAY MICROANALYSIS
Authors: Szalay Katalin Sz. , Bácsy Ernö , Stark Ervin
Published: December 2008

Potassium and sodium contents in the various adrenal zones were determined in experimental hyper- and hypoaldosteronism in the rat by electron probe X-ray microanalysis. The analysis aimed at revealing intracellular values.

There was no change in the potassium content of the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and medulla neither in hyperaldosteronism, induced by Na-deficiency, nor in hypoaldosteronism, elicited by Na-rich diet. The sodium content in the zona glomerulosa and zona fascicularis was increased in the Na-loaded rats, while that of the medulla was not changed.

Our data are not consistent with the hypothesis that a change of adrenal intracellular potassium would act as a final stimulus in the regulation of aldosterone secretion.
IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF STEROIDS IN BOVINE CORPUS LUTEUM DURING OESTROUS CYCLE AND PREGNANCY
Authors: Axelson M. , Schumacher G. , Sjövall J. , Gustafsson B. , Lindell J. O.
Published: December 2008

Neutral steroids in bovine corpus luteum were isolated by liquid-gel chromatography on hydrophobic Sephadex, and were analyzed by computerized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of progesterone and 20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one was confirmed. In addition, 3β- hydroxy- 5- pregnen -20- one, 5- pregnene- 3β,20β -diol, 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one and 5α-pregnane-3β,20β-diol,32 were fully identified, and 3-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-onne, 4 pregnene-3,20-diol, 22-hydroxycholesterol and 20,22-dihydroxycholesterol were partially characterized. Steroid sulphates were not detected.

Quantification of the six fully identified steroids was based on peak areas in specific fragment ion current chromatograms constructed by the computer. During the 4th–19th day of the oestrous cycle the steroid concentrations varied as follows: progesterone 6.0–36.7 μg/g wet luteal weight, 20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one 0.8–5.5 μg/g, 3β-hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one 1.0–7.1 μg/g, 5-pregnene-3β,20β-diol < 0.2–0.9 μg/g, 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one 1.7–8.6 μg/g, and 5α-pregnane-3β,20β-diol < 0.2-1.2 μg/g.

The concentrations of progesterone and 3β-hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one seemed to vary in parallel and were low during days 11–17. During this period the concentrations of 5-pregnene-3β,20β-diol and 5α-pregnane-3β,20β-diol were highest as was the relative contribution of all three 20β-hydroxysteroids to the total amount of steroids. The relative amount of 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one seemed to be highest during days 4–6.

The total steroid concentration in corpora lutea taken in early pregnancy (75–105 days) was 18–47 μg/g. In the period 75–90 days, progesterone constituted only 35–42 % of the total steroids, 3β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one as much as 23–40 % and the total 20β-hydroxysteroids 18–30%. The total steroid concentration in corpora lutea taken in midterm and late pregnancy was 21–77 μg/g. In this period progesterone was by far the predominant steroid and constituted about 80–90 % of the total steroids in corpora lutea taken between days 150 and 240.

Possible correlations between luteal growth, steroid oxidoreductases and steroid concentrations are discussed.
THE EFFECT OF OESTRADIOL-3N-BIS-(2-CHLOROETHYL)CARBAMATE-17β-PHOSPHATE (ESTRACYT®) ON THE 5α-REDUCTASE IN THE RAT VENTRAL PROSTATE
Authors: Høisaeter Per Aage
Published: December 2008

The ventral prostate of the rat both after in vitro incubation and in vivo experiments was found to contain appreciable 5α-reductase activity, whilst a very low activity was registered in the diaphragm and liver. Neither Estracyt® nor LEO275 (Estracyt® without the phosphate group in position 17 of the oestradiol moiety) had an inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity after in vitro incubation but equivalent amounts of oestradiol-17β and oestradiol-17β-phosphate significantly reduced 5α-reductase activity. When Estracyt® was injected in vivo no influence on activity was registered in "short term" experiments while a significant inhibition was found after "long term" treatment in vivo. Possible explanations for this "long term" effect of Estracyt® on 5α-reductase activity are discussed.
THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE ACCESSORY SEX ORGANS OF THE MALE RAT
Authors: Dahl Erik , Hars Renate
Published: December 2008

The present paper describes the fine structure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat as seen after administration of the anti-androgenic compound chlormadinon acetate for 20 days. There was a general involution of the organs with macroscopic atrophy and reduced amount of secretory material. Ultrastructurally the cells contained less organelles as compared with the controls, loss of cytoplasm and reduction both of cell height and width. The major changes also included reduction of the Golgi areas and the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Within the dorsal lobe prominent nuclear changes were found. The alterations observed in the present study are similar to the changes which were found in rats treated with another anti-androgenic compound, Cyp A. It is concluded that these two anti-androgenic compounds exert their effects through similar mechanisms with a specific influence on the prostate and the seminal vesicles.