bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC PROPERTIES OF α-MELANOPHORE-STIMULATING HORMONE
Authors: Desaulles P. A. , Barthe P. , Schär B. , Staehelin M.
Published: December 2008

The adrenocorticotrophic activity of synthetic α-melanophore-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) has been evaluated on the basis of its effects on corticosteroid production in vitro, on its action on corticosteroid secretion in vivo in hypophysectomised rats as well as on its effect on the ascorbic acid output, and on the blood flow through the adrenals. These actions have been compared with those of synthetic β1–24 corticotrophin and of synthetic β1–39 corticotrophin. The results of these investigations show that α-MSH has a stimulating effect on corticosteroid secretion both in vitro and in vivo. These effects are compared with those obtained with synthetic corticotrophins, and the results discussed.
VASOPRESSOR AND OXYTOCIC ACTIVITIES IN THE POSTERIOR LOBE OF THE PITUITARY GLAND OF MALE AND FEMALE RATS FOLLOWING ADRENALECTOMY AND GONADECTOMY
Authors: Barnafi L. , Croxatto H.
Published: December 2008

The vasopressor and oxytocic activities in the posterior lobes of the pituitary gland were found to be markedly higher in female than in male rats.

Whereas adrenalectomy decreased these activities in the males, it produced no changes in the female.

Gonadectomy lowered the vasopressor activity in males, but had no effect on oxytocic activity. Ovariectomy decreased oxytocic activity, but produced no significant changes in vasopressor activity.
GROWTH INHIBITING EFFECT OF CORTICAL HORMONES IN COCKERELS
Authors: Siegrist J. , Sickles J. , Kincl Fred A.
Published: December 2008

Injection of cortisol into one-day old cockerels produced thymus atrophy and involution of bursa of Fabricius. The response was satisfactory using two daily injections. This method was used to evaluate the relative potency of various synthetic cortical hormones. Paramethasone was found to be 115 times more potent than cortisol. Fluocinolone acetonide and flumethasone were more than 1000 times as active as the primary standard.
COMPARISON OF THE METABOLISM OF OESTRIOL-3-GLUCOSIDURONATE AND OESTRIOL-16-GLUCOSIDURONATE IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Authors: Goebelsmann U. , Cooke I. , Wiqvist N. , Diczfalusy E.
Published: December 2008

Tritium-labelled oestriol-3-glucosiduronate (OE3-3Gl) and 14C-labelled oestriol-16-glucosiduronate (OE3-16Gl) were infused together over a 6 hour period to two pregnant women at midterm. The urinary metabolites were then isolated and identified.

Ninety-one per cent of the 3H- and more than 77% of the 14C-labelled material were excreted in the urine within 24 hours. Only 2.2% of the 3H-labelled material recovered was present as OE3-16Gl, the rest was eliminated unchanged. In contrast more than 13% of the 14C-labelled material excreted was present as OE3-3Gl. No labelled oestriol-17-glucosiduronate (OE3-17Gl) could be detected. The urinary output of circulating OE3-3Gl was faster than that of OE3-16Gl.

From the relationship of the specific activities of the infused and isolated OE3-3Gl and OE3-16Gl the amounts of these compounds reaching the maternal circulation hourly were calculated. On the basis of these estimates it is inferred that at midterm OE3-3Gl is a quantitatively important circulating oestriol conjugate and that it represents an end-product in oestriol metabolism.
BIOGENESE VON ÖSTRIOL-16α-MONOGLUCURONID UND ÖSTRIOL-17β-MONOGLUCURONID
Authors: Dahm K. , Breuer H.
Published: December 2008

The biogenesis of oestriol 16α-monoglucuronide and oestriol 17β-monoglucuronide has been studied using different enzyme preparations of human intestine, placenta and liver as well as of rat liver. After incubation of oestriol with the microsomal fraction of human intestine or rat liver, oestriol 16α-monoglucuronide was found as main metabolite, whereas oestriol 17β-monoglucuronide was formed in smaller amounts. When the 100 000 × g supernatant of human intestine was precipitated with ammonium sulphate (30–60% saturation), a glucuronyl transferase was obtained which catalysed the formation of oestriol 17β-monoglucuronide only.

No oestriol 16α-monoglucuronide was found when 16α-hydroxyoestrone 16α-monoglucuronide was incubated with either the cytoplasmic 17β-hydroxysteroid:NAD(P)-oxidoreductase of human intestine and rat liver or with a 37-fold purified human placental 17β-hydroxysteroid:NAD-oxidoreductase. On the other hand, no oestriol 17β-monoglucuronide was formed when 17β-oestradiol 17β-monoglucuronide was subjected to the action of the microsomal 16α-hydroxylase of rat liver. These results may be explained by steric hindrance of the enzyme system involved.

On the basis of the present findings it can be concluded that oestriol 16α-monoglucuronide arises exclusively by direct glucuronidation of oestriol, and not by enzymatic reduction of 16α-hydroxyoestrone 16α-monoglucuronide. Similarly, oestriol 17β-monoglucuronide is most probably formed only by direct glucuronidation of oestriol, and not by 16α-hydroxylation of 17β-oestradiol 17β-monoglucuronide.
A CLINICAL AND CYTOGENETICAL STUDY OF THREE PATIENTS WITH MALE PHENOTYPE AND APPARENT XX SEX CHROMOSOME CONSTITUTION
Authors: Lindsten J. , Bergstrand C. G. , Tillinger K.-G. , Schwarzacher H.-G. , Tiepolo L. , Muldal S. , Hökfelt B.
Published: December 2008

Three male patients with testicular dysgenesis are described. In all three patients testicular histology showed advanced tubular sclerosis and Leydig cell hyperplasia. Two were of short stature and none had gynaecomastia. They were all euthyroid with normal PBI, but two of them showed decreased thyroid uptake of 131I and a decreased »TSH reserve«.

In all three cases cells from several tissues had 46 chromosomes and an XX sex chromosome constitution. In one mosaicism was indicated by the presence of a very small proportion of cells with 47 chromosomes. Some of these cells seemed to contain three X chromosomes whereas the others had two X chromosomes and possibly a Y. No evidence of mosaicism was found in the other two. There were no signs of structural chromosome abnormalities.
SIGNIFIKANTE VERÄNDERUNG DES ALKALISCHEN LEUKOZYTENPHOSPHATASE-INDEX WÄHREND DES MENSTRUELLEN ZYKLUS
Authors: Bauer-Sič P.
Published: December 2008

For the determination of alcaline phosphatase of leucocytes (ALP) blood smears from 5 menstruating women, 2 pregnant women, 1 postmenopausal woman, and 3 men were examined daily during some cycles or for a period of several months.

In contrast to the males and the postmenopausal woman, the women with a regular menstrual cycle show a significant increase in ALP starting approximately at the 15th day after the onset of the menstruation bleeding and lasting for 3–5 days. The maximum level corresponded to the time of ovulation. Furthermore there was a good correlation between the ALP-values with the known amounts of oestrogens excreted during a normal menstrual cycle.

Therefore the cytochemical determination of ALP provides a rapid additional method for testing the ovarial function when carried out daily. When the single ALP determination is done, like in routine clinical analysis, consideration should be given to the day of the cycle when the sample was taken.
THE CONTROL OF BLOOD SUGAR IN THE LABORATORY RAT AND GOLDEN HAMSTER
Authors: Nowell N. W. , Howland R. J.
Published: December 2008

Some aspects of carbohydrate metabolism in the Wistar albino rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) which had been kept in the laboratory at 21° C have been compared. Control blood sugar assays and intravenous glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests were performed. The hamster was shown to have higher fasting and fed blood sugar levels than the rat; it responded equally well to insulin, but showed a comparatively very poor tolerance to exogenous glucose. It is concluded that the hamster maintains a relatively much smaller supply of insulin than the rat.
PURIFICATION AND SEPARATION OF FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH) AND LUTEINIZING HORMONE (LH) FROM HUMAN POSTMENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPHIN (HMG)
Authors: Donini P. , Puzzuoli D. , D'Alessio I. , Lunenfeld B. , Eshkol Aliza , Parlow A. F.
Published: December 2008

A new approach to the preparation of biologically pure FSH from HMG is described.

The method entails selective binding of the LH to antibodies against HCG.

The bound LH was separated from FSH by DEAE-C chromatography. An FSH preparation was obtained with a potency of 329.7 IU-FSH/mg and undetectable LH activity at the highest dose tested. This preparation, however, was not homogeneous in the immuno-electrophoretic analysis. The nature of the LH activity »unseparable« from FSH by physico-chemical procedures is discussed.
IMMUNOASSAY OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN: DIURNAL VARIATION IN URINARY ANTIGEN EXCRETION
Authors: Baechler Christian , Borth Rudi , Menzi Annette
Published: December 2008

A pregnancy-test kit based on the principle of passive haemagglutination inhibition was used to assay antigen (»human chorionic gonadotrophin«) levels in 184 accurately timed urine samples collected during one 24-hour period from 24 pregnant women hospitalized for various clinical conditions.

The precision of replicate assays was in the order of 20 per cent (standard deviation), that is, at the limit imposed by the dilution factor used.

The antigen excretion rate (IU-eq./d), the antigen concentration (IU-eq./ml), and the fluid excretion rate (ml/d) all showed a diurnal rhythm, but shape, amplitude and phase of the average curves were different for the three parameters. Concentration varied inversely with fluid volume (r2 = 0.47); the antigen excretion rate was not correlated with the latter (r2 = 0.04). The concentration in morning urine was well correlated with the antigen excretion rate determined from the 24-hour pool (r2 = 0.77). Variation between and within individuals was considerable with respect to all the relationships observed, and if these were disregarded, the distribution of the pooled data was approximately lognormal both for the concentrations and the excretion rates expressed as per cent of the corresponding 24-hour values.

If antigen excretion were estimated, instead of from 24-hour collections, from (a) timed random collections, or (b) untimed morning urines, or (c) untimed random samples, changes in antigen excretion would have to be at least (a) 2–4 times, or (b) 2.5–6 times, or (c) 3–9 times greater, respectively, in order to be detectable in spite of diurnal variation.
THE EFFECT OF GROWTH HORMONE ON KIDNEY TRANSAMIDINASE IN THE HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED MOUSE
Authors: Lakatua David J. , Van Pilsum John F. , Ungar Frank
Published: December 2008

The role of growth hormone and certain other endocrine factors in regulating kidney transamidinase has been investigated in the mouse. The kidney transamidinase values are low following hypophysectomy. Growth hormone administration in doses of 0.5 to 5.0 μg/day (ovine NIH) restores the enzyme activity towards normal. A bioassay for growth hormone is suggested based on the determination of the total kidney transamidinase. Intact mice that had been given relatively large doses of triiodothyronine had low enzyme activities. Enzyme values in alloxan-treated mice were normal.
BIOLOGISCHE HALBWERTSZEITEN VON C21-STEROIDEN BEIM MEERSCHWEINCHEN
Authors: Weinand K. , Rindt W. , Oertel G. W.
Published: December 2008

The half-life of various C21-steroids in plasma of male guinea pigs was studied and compared to that of 3β-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one (dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA). While the latter amounted to 8.0 minutes corresponding to earlier findings, the following values were obtained for the C21-steroids: 4.4 minutes for 3β=hydroxy-pregn-5-en-20-one (pregnenolone), 2.0 minutes for 3β,17α-dihydroxy-pregn-5-en-20-one (17-OH-pregnenolone), 3.3 minutes for pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (progesterone) and 17.0 minutes for 11β,17,21-trihydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (cortisol).
CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF MOUSE THYROTROPES FOLLOWING RADIOTHYROIDECTOMY
Authors: Messier Bernard
Published: December 2008

Mouse thyrotropes were identified as alcian blue positive cells. Their frequency was found to drop from 0.87% in normal animals to 0.11% in animals radiothyroidectomized since 30 days. This decrease is only apparent since a pulse feeding of thyroxine to radiothyroidectomized mice caused a regranulation of the TSH-depleted cells and revealed as many as 2.93% alcian blue positive cells.

Since no mitoses were found to account for the increased number of thyrotropes, it is likely that radiothyroidectomy »mobilized« other existing pituitary cells, possibly chromophobes.
IMPLANTATION AND EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE OVARIECTOMIZED HAMSTER
Authors: Harper M. J. K. , Prostkoff Barbara T. , Reeve Roberta J.
Published: December 2008

Ovariectomy of hamsters on day 1 or day 4 of pregnancy without steroid replacement resulted in complete failure of implantation. This was, however, induced by daily subcutaneous (s. c.) injection of either 1 or 2 mg progesterone. Although implantation could occur in the absence of oestrogen, greater numbers of eggs implanted in its presence after ovariectomy on day 1. Oestrogen administration (1 μg/hamster/day s. c. of oestrone) also increased the proportion of embryonic development to day 14 in the ovariectomized, progesterone-treated animal.
UNTERSUCHUNGEN ÜBER DIE SPALTUNG VON CORTICOTROPHIN IM SERUM
Authors: Klaus Dieter
Published: December 2008

ACTH is destroyed in serum primary by several serum-endopeptidases (trypsin, plasmin, thrombin, kallikrein), as is demonstrated by paper chromatographic analysis of the degradation fragments. Secondary the liberated peptides are hydrolyzed by serum-aminopeptidases. The rate of inactivation of ACTH by serum in vitro was studied in various diseases including endocrine disorders with hypercorticalism or diminished adrenal cortical function. The hydrolysis of ACTH by serum is increased only in hepatobiliary diseases. The speed of the degradation of ACTH in serum is small and cannot explain the short disappearance rate of the hormone in blood stream. Infusion of streptokinase increases the plasmin concentration and therefore the inactivation of ACTH in blood. In these circumstances it seems possible to decrease the adrenocorticotrophic effect of ACTH in vivo.
FATE OF INTRA-AMNIOTICALLY ADMINISTERED OESTRIOL-15-3H-3-SULPHATE AND OESTRIOL-16-14C-16-GLUCOSIDURONATE IN PREGNANT WOMEN AT MIDTERM
Authors: Goebelsmanna U. , Wiqvist N. , Diczfalusy E. , Levitzb M. , Condonc G. P. , Dancisd J.
Published: December 2008

Tracer amounts of 3H-labelled oestriol-3-sulphate (OE3-3S) and 14C-labelled oestriol-16-glucosiduronate (OE3-16GI) were administered intraamniotically to two women at midterm 24 hours prior to the interruption of gestation. The radioactive metabolites present in the urine of the mother, amniotic fluid, placenta and various foetal tissues were isolated and identified.

Averaging the results of the two experiments, 89% of the administered radioactive material was recovered. Thirty-six per cent of the 3H- and 12% of the 14C-labelled material was recovered from the maternal urine collected during the 24 hours preceding the termination of pregnancy, and an additional 14% of the 3H- and 4% of the 14C-labelled material during the following 96 hours. Thirty-five per cent of the 3H- and 67% of the 14C-labelled material administered were recovered from the foetal tissues and placenta.
STUDIES ON THE TESTICULAR AUGMENTATION ASSAY METHOD FOR FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE
Authors: Gans E. , van Rees G. P.
Published: December 2008

Augmentation of testis weight caused by the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was studied in hypophysectomized immature rats treated concomitantly with supramaximal amounts of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Using a rat pituitary homogenate, responses were found to increase linearly with the logarithm of the doses given. In assays of rat pituitary homogenate against purified sheep FSH no significant divergence was observed. The effect of a submaximally active dose of FSH was not significantly altered by the concomitant administration of purified growth hormone, thyrotrophin, corticotrophin, prolactin or luteinizing hormone (LH). Serum from intact male and female rats caused significant growth of the testis, while serum from male animals was more active than that of female rats. However, when serum from hypophysectomized male and female rats was given, some testis growth still occurred in one of the two experimental series. In this case, the responses were smaller than those caused by serum from intact males but not smaller than those caused by serum from intact females. No difference in testis growth-promoting effect could be demonstrated between the sera obtained from hypophysectomized male and female rats.
IN VITRO CORTICOSTEROIDBIOSYNTHESE IN PROLIFERIERENDEN RATTENNEBENNIEREN
Authors: Vecsei P. , Lommer D. , Steinacker H. G. , Vecsei-Görgenyi A. , Wolff H. P.
Published: December 2008

Proliferation of the adrenal cortex was induced in rats by adrenal enucleation according to the procedure described by Skelton (1955) or by prolonged administration of corticotrophin (ACTH).

Adrenals cut into quarters were incubated with 4-14C-progesterone or/and 1,2-3H-cortexone and the incorporation of the precursor radioactivity into 18-OH-corticosterone, aldosterone, 18-OH-cortexone and corticosterone was used as an index of corticosteroid biosynthesis.

Identical alterations in the corticosteroid synthesis patterns were found after adrenocortical regeneration following enucleation and after ACTH treatment:

The synthesis of 18-OH-corticosterone and aldosterone was considerably reduced.

The synthesis of 18-OH-cortexone and corticosterone was increased.

The formation of aldosterone from progesterone was reduced to a greater extent than from cortexone, according to the 3H/14C ratios found after incubation with 1,2-3H-cortexone and 4-14C-progesterone.

This similarity indicates that the functional state of the adrenal cortex during Skelton regeneration could serve as a model of the supra-adrenal Cushing syndrome.
THYROID HORMONE METABOLISM IN THE PREGNANT SYRIAN HAMSTER (MESOCRICETUS AURATUS)
Authors: Galton Valerie Anne , Galton Michael
Published: December 2008

During late pregnancy in the Syrian hamster, a marked increase in the peripheral turnover of thyroxine (T4) and a considerable reduction in the concentration of protein-bound iodine (PBI) were observed. The rate of turnover of T4 returned to the non-pregnant level immediately after delivery. T4 deiodination in preparations of liver, kidney, and muscle was not enhanced during pregnancy, while activity in homogenates of foetus was approximately equal to that of the most active of the maternal tissues studied (liver). Thus, in view of the proportionately large foetal mass in the hamster, it was concluded that utilization of T4 by the foetuses accounts for the increased metabolism of this hormone in pregnancy.

Despite the low level of PBI in the maternal serum, there was no evidence of increased maternal thyroid activity in pregnancy. It therefore appeared that the increased peripheral utilization of T4 was accomplished at the expense of the pre-existing extrathyroidal pool.

It was necessary to inhibit the maternal thyroid for the in vivo study of T4 metabolism. Since the agent (KClO4) employed for this purpose also suppressed the activity of the foetal thyroid, further studies will be necessary to establish the extent to which the foetus normally utilizes maternal T4. However, the marked reduction in the level of PBI in the serum of normal untreated hamsters implies that at least a significant fraction of the T4 metabolized by the foetus is derived from the mother.
INDEPENDENCE OF THE THYROID AND ADRENAL GLAND IN POTASSIUM THIOCYANATE (KCNS) INDUCED HYPOTENSION IN RATS
Authors: de Jong W. , de Wied D.
Published: December 2008

KCNS administered to intact rats depressed thyroidal radioiodine (131I) uptake and accelerated thyroidal 131I release. A marked thyroidal hypertrophy was present following administration of KCNS for 16 days. The same treatment caused a sustained fall in blood pressure (BP). This hypotensive effect was not affected by thyroxine treatment, thyroidectomy, thyroidectomy plus thyroxine treatment, placement of a hypothalamic lesion, and hypophysectomy plus thyrotrophin (TSH) treatment.

Pituitary-adrenal activity in KCNS-treated rats was not changed but the secretion of aldosterone appeared to be increased. A lowering of BP following KCNS treatment also occurred in adrenalectomized rats, and in adrenalectomized rats treated with corticosterone or aldosterone. Dexamethasone in adrenalectomized as well as in intact rats blocked KCNS-induced hypotension. From this study it is concluded that the lowering of BP as caused by KCNS treatment in the rat, is independent of alterations in the function of the thyroid and the adrenal gland.
ABNORMAL REGULATION OF THYROID FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CHAGA'S DISEASE
Authors: Lomonaco D. A. , Oliveira H. L. , Kieffer J. , Pieroni R. R.
Published: December 2008

The problem of thyroid dysfunction in Chagas' disease is discussed on the basis of the functional study of three series of patients with the chronic form of the disease. There was no significant association between Chagas' disease and goiter. No significant difference was found between the average plasma PBI in the groups of patients and that of the control groups. However, the values in the Chagas groups showed a much wider dispersion than those of the non Chagas controls; the difference between the corresponding variances was statistically significant. A loss of efficiency of the mechanisms concerned with the homeostasis of circulating thyroid hormone seems to occur in chronic Chagas' disease. This is interpreted as a possible result of the nervous lesion characteristic of the disease, which might involve neuronal links of homeostatic circuits responsible for the release of TSH.
A COMPARISON OF TWO METHODS FOR MEASUREMENT OF ALDOSTERONE SECRETION RATE IN MAN
Authors: Lund-Johansen P. , Thorsen T. , Støa K. F.
Published: December 2008

A comparison has been made between (A), a relatively simple method for the measurement of aldosterone secretion rate, based on paper chromatography and direct densitometry of the aldosterone spot and (B) a more elaborate isotope derivative method.

The mean secretion rate in 9 normal subjects was 112 ± 26 μg per 24 hours (method A) and 135 ± 35 μg per 24 hours (method B). The »secretion rate« in one adrenalectomized subject after the intravenous injection of 250 μg of aldosterone was 230 μg per 24 hours (method A) and 294 μg per 24 hours (method B). There was no significant difference in the mean values, and correlation between the two methods was good (r = 0.80).

It is concluded that the densitometric method is suitable for clinical purposes as well as research, being more rapid and less expensive than the isotope derivative method. Method A also measures the urinary excretion of the aldosterone 3-oxo-conjugate, which is of interest in many pathological conditions. The densitometric method is obviously the less sensitive and a prerequisite for its use is an aldosterone secretion of 20—30 μg per 24 hours. Lower values are, however, rare in adults.
PRE-TRAUMA OESTROGEN REQUIREMENTS FOR INDUCTION OF DECIDUALIZATION IN SPAYED, PROGESTERONE-TREATED RATS
Authors: Cartoni Carla Rossi , Bignami G.
Published: December 2008

The formation of deciduomata was investigated in ovariectomized rats treated with various combinations of oestrogen and progesterone before traumatization. The hormonal treatment was kept constant for all groups of animals during the period between traumatization and autopsy (4 mg of progesterone and 0.2 μg of oestradiol benzoate daily). Uterine weight and carbonic anhydrase activity were measured 96 hours after trauma and compared with those of intact controls receiving traumatization on day 4 of pseudopregnancy. When a single dose of oestrogen was given on the day before traumatization, induction of decidualization was successful under a wide variety of experimental conditions (presence or absence of oestrogen »priming« before the beginning of the progesterone treatment; progesterone treatment of varying duration). On the contrary, treatment with divided doses of oestrogen, given for 3 days before trauma, allowed extensive decidualization only in rats »primed« with oestrogen, and traumatized on the fourth day of a progesterone treatment started 24 hours after vaginal keratinization.

It appears therefore that only the »oestrogen surge« hypothesis of Shelesnyak and his collaborators can account for those conditions in which implantation occurs at variable intervals of time after the last oestrus (lactation, hypophyseal autotransplantation, administration of a tranquilizer and early ovariectomy followed by hormonal treatment). On the other hand, both the hypothesis of Shelesnyak and that proposed by Yochim & DeFeo (1963) (i. e. continuous secretion of small amounts of oestrogen during the first three days of pregnancy and pseudopregnancy) could account for the rapid waxing and waning of endometrial sensitivity to deciduoma-inducing stimuli observed in normal pregnancy and pseudo-pregnancy.
EFFECT OF OPERATION ON THE KIDNEY FUNCTION AND ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF A TRACER DOSE OF 85Sr IN TWO PATIENTS WITH HYPERPARATHYROIDISM AND SEVERE HYPERCALCAEMIA
Authors: Coenegracht J. , Dorleyn M.
Published: December 2008

Two cases of severe hypercalcaemia due to parathyroid adenoma are reported.

In one of the patients an acute hypercalcaemic crisis occurred with a breakdown of renal function and rapidly progressive signs of myocardial damage. An emergency operation was performed from which the patient made a successful recovery.

The effects of hypercalcaemia on the kidney function in this patient are reported in detail.

In both cases an unexpected difference in the alteration of the serum and urinary concentrations of 85Sr and stable calcium was observed after operation. The possible significance of this finding is discussed.
ISOLATION OF A2 CELLS FROM THE PANCREATIC ISLETS FOR ULTRAMTCROCHEMICAL ANALYSES
Authors: Brolin Sven E. , Lundquist Gudmar , Petersson Birger
Published: December 2008

Fresh cryostat sections of guinea-pig pancreas immersed in cold heptane and examined by dark field microscopy show a distinct pattern which allows identification and isolation of different islet components. Groups of cells with silvery white refractile bodies in their cytoplasm can be dissected accurately enough to provide a practically pure population of endocrine cells. Cytological studies show that the cells represent the A2 type. Aggregates composed of B cells and A1 cells can also be isolated. The technical procedure is described in detail.
INSULIN AND GLUCOSE IN PLASMA FROM UMBILICAL VEIN AND HEEL BLOOD OF NEWBORN INFANTS OF DIABETIC WOMEN
Authors: Pedersen Jørgen , Pedersen L. Mølsted , Jørgensen Kai R.
Published: December 2008

The concentrations of insulin and glucose were estimated simultaneously in plasma from umbilical vein and from heel-stab blood of newborn infants of diabetic and non-diabetic women in the fasting state and after glucose injection into the umbilical vein.

In infants of diabetic mothers a rapid and high increase in insulin concentration was seen in plasma from the umbilical vein and also, although to a lesser extent, from the peripheral blood. In infants of non-diabetic mothers a slow rise was seen in umbilical vein plasma, but no rise at all in the peripheral blood.

The plasma glucose concentration in umbilical vein as well as in heelstab blood rose and fell without any difference being found between the two groups of infants, in contrast to the great differences in their insulin concentrations.
FATE OF OESTRIOL-3-SULPHATE AND OESTRIOL-16-GLUCOSIDURONATE IN THE INTACT FOETO-PLACENTAL UNIT AT MIDPREGNANCY
Authors: Goebelsmann U. , Eriksson G. , Diczfalusy E. , Levitz M. , Condon G. P.
Published: December 2008

In two cases of therapeutic abortion by laparotomy, tracer amounts of 3H-labelled oestriol-3-sulphate (OE3-3S) and 14C-labelled oestriol-16-glucosiduronate (OE3-16GI) were injected into the umbilical vein 15 minutes prior to the interruption of gestation and the radioactive material recovered from the maternal urine, placenta, various foetal tissues and urine was analysed.

Some four times more 3H- than 14C-labelled material was excreted in the urine of the mothers. Approximately 90% of both isotopes was identified as OE3-16GI.

From the placentas more than twice as much 14C- as 3H-labelled meterial was recovered. All the 14C-labelled material was present in the form of glucosiduronate. Approximately 40% of the 3H-labelled material was identified as unconjugated oestriol (OE3), some 2% was present in the form of unidentified unconjugated material, and the rest was OE3-3S.3-3S.

All the 3H-labelled material present in the foetal organism was identified as OE3-3S, indicating lack of metabolism of this conjugate by the foetus. On the other hand, the 14C-labelled OE3-16GI was metabolised by the foetus. A small part of it was converted into OE3-3S, which was present only in the liver. In addition, all foetal tissues contained considerable quantities of 14C-labelled oestriol-3-sulphate,16-glucosiduronate (OE3-3S,16GI) accompanied by smaller amounts of a 14C-labelled glucosiduronate of OE3, which was considerably more polar than OE3-16GI.

The foetal urine contained only 14C-labelled glucosiduronates of OE3.
ÜBER DAS VERHALTEN DER CORTICOSTEROIDE IM PLASMA BEI DIABETES INSIPIDUS-KRANKEN WÄHREND DER INSULINHYPOGLYKÄMIE
Authors: Bethge H. , Irmscher K. , von der Nahmer D. , Solbach H. G. , Zimmermann H.
Published: December 2008

Estimations of corticosteroids in the plasma and of blood sugar were carried out during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in seven patients with central diabetes insipidus. The values so obtained were compared with those of ten healthy subjects. Considering the fall in blood sugar and the increase in corticosteroids in the plasma no difference was noted in the two groups. This was the case with regard to dynamics, extent and time of duration of both parameters. It was concluded that: 1. Adiuretin is not responsible for physiological corticotrophin liberation. 2. According to clinical experience the function of the pituitary adrenal system is normal in patients with uncomplicated central diabetes insipidus. This also holds true in stress conditions, i. e. insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. The results support the findings in animal experiments of other investigators and suggest that in man too the synthesis of adiuretin and corticotrophin releasing factor takes place in different areas of the hypothalamus.
ART- UND GESCHLECHTSUNTERSCHIEDE IN DER THYROXINSEKRETIONSRATE VON MOSCHUS-UND PEKINGENTEN
Authors: von Faber Hans , Schreiber Hermann
Published: December 2008

The thyroxine secretion rate was estimated by the goiter prevention test in Muscovy and Pekin ducklings which were 4 weeks old. Expressed as amount of L-Thyroxine/day/100 g body weight the following values have been determined: Muscovy males 0.78 μg, Muscovy females 0.97 μg; Pekin males 1.46 μg, Pekin females 1.76 μg. The corresponding body weights were 954, 718, 1212 and 1213 g, respectively.
EFFECTS OF EPINEPHRINE ON THE PRODUCTION AND METABOLIC CLEARANCE OF CORTISOL IN NORMAL MEN AND WOMEN AND IN WOMEN WITH IDIOPATHIC HIRSUTISM
Authors: Segre E. J. , Friedrich E. H. , Dodek O. I. , Lloyd C. W. , Lobotsky J. , Levin J. , Klaiber E. L.
Published: December 2008

The influence of epinephrine on the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) and production rate (PR) of cortisol was determined in normal men and women and in women with idiopathic hirsutism. MCR was measured using a constant infusion of 3H-cortisol and PR calculated as the product of MCR and plasma cortisol concentration according to the model of Tait. After control observations 0.5 μg/kg epinephrine was injected intravenously in one minute followed by a constant infusion at a rate of 0.5 mg/h.

The mean cortisol MCR was 10.3 litres/h in males and 7.9 litres/h in females. In neither sex was it altered by epinephrine. The mean baseline cortisol PR in males was 568 μg/h; it increased to 940 μg/h with epinephrine (P < .025 > .01). In hirsute females the mean baseline cortisol PR was 697 μg/h with an increase to 1067 μg/h with epinephrine. In normal females, the increase in cortisol PR was less (515 μg/h to 638 μg/h).

Adrenal responsiveness to epinephrine, as measured by the production of cortisol, appears greater in hirsute than in normal women. Possible relationships between this difference and the development of hirsutism are discussed.
INSULIN SENSITIVITY AND ADRENOCORTICAL FUNCTION IN GUINEA-PIGS WITH HYPOTHALAMIC LESIONS
Authors: Benson Bryant
Published: December 2008

Insulin hypersensitivity was displayed by adult, male guinea-pigs with bilateral, electrolytic lesions in the anterior and middle hypothalamus. The increased hypoglycaemic response to a single intraperitoneal injection of insulin (0.5 U/kg) was followed by marked hypoglycaemia unresponsiveness compared with preoperative control values. The most effective lesions were those centered in and about the ventromedian and dorsomedian hypothalamic nuclei, either ablating a portion of the anterior median eminence or leaving it entirely intact. Animals with both types of lesions had lower fasting blood sugar levels and marked adrenal regression as evidenced by reduced adrenal weights and decreased levels of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion. It is postulated that lesions in the ventromedian and dorsomedian hypothalamus which interfere with adrenocortical function correspond in anatomic site to those which render the guinea-pig more sensitive to insulin.
THE EFFECT OF THE LONG TERM ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON EXCRETION VALUES FOR FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE AND LUTEINISING HORMONE
Authors: Bell E. T. , Herbst A. L. , Krishnamurti Mariamma , Loraine J. A. , Mears Eleanor , Jackson Margaret C. N. , Garcia C-R.
Published: December 2008

Pituitary gonadotrophic function together with urinary steroid excretion has been studied in four women during and following long term therapy with oral contraceptives. Assays of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were performed in all subjects while luteinising hormone (LH) output was measured in two.

Estimations of urinary oestrogens and pregnanediol indicated absence of ovarian activity during treatment and the resumption of ovulation in the first or second post-treatment cycle.

In the three women who received progestogen-oestrogen mixtures depression of FSH and LH activities during treatment was noted. In the subject receiving a progestogen alone such a depression did not occur.

Following withdrawal of medication urinary FSH excretion remained similar to that during treatment while LH levels either rose or were unchanged.

It is concluded that the long term effects of oral contraceptives on pituitary gonadotrophic function are variable and may depend on such factors as the composition of the tablet administered, its total dosage and the duration of therapy.
IMMUNOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN IN URINE AND SERUM OF PREGNANT WOMEN AND WOMEN WITH A HYDATIDIFORM MOLE
Authors: Wide Leif , Hobson Bruce
Published: December 2008

When human chorionic gonadotrophin from the urine of pregnant women is assayed both biologically and immunologically, the ratio (B/I) between the two activities is less than unity, and changes as pregnancy progresses. This suggests that the two methods do not wholly measure the same activity. Urines from women with a hydatidiform mole have a B/I ratio higher than urines from women with normal pregnancies, and this difference can be used to distinguish between a pregnancy and a hydatidiform mole. The B/I ratio of the serum from pregnant women is significantly higher than that of the urine. The B/I ratio of serum from women with a hydatidiform mole, and from those with a normal pregnancy, are of the same magnitude. Factors which might influence the immunological and biological HCG activity in the urine and serum are discussed.
ESTIMATION OF ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE IN THE URINE OF HEALTHY SUBJECTS AND PATIENTS WITH INAPPROPRIATE SECRETION OF VASOPRESSIN (SCHWARTZ-BARTTER SYNDROME)
Authors: Ruch W.
Published: December 2008

The excretion of antidiuretic hormone in the urine was determined in healthy subjects and patients with inappropriate secretion of vasopressin. The antidiuretic hormone was extracted by means of an ion exchanger and assayed in hydrated rats under alcohol anaesthesia.

The urine of patients with inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion shows a higher antidiuretic activity than that of normal subjects.
STUDIES OF 47CA METABOLISM IN SARCOIDOSIS: EVIDENCE FOR INCREASED SENSITIVITY OF BONE TO VITAMIN D
Authors: Bell Norman H. , Bartter Frederic C.
Published: December 2008

Calcium metabolism was studied in two patients with sarcoidosis and hypercalcaemia before and again after treatment with prednisone. Calcium balance, miscible calcium pool (P), calcium »accretion« rate (vo+) and »bone resorption« rate (vo−) were measured.

In both patients before treatment, faecal calcium was low and serum and urinary calcium were elevated, P was normal and vo+ and vo− were elevated.

In both patients after treatment with prednisone, faecal calcium had increased and serum and urinary calcium, P, vo+ and vo− had decreased. The results are interpreted to mean that in sarcoidosis, the bones as well as the gastrointestinal tract are sensitive to vitamin D.
CONVERSION OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE-7α-3H TO OESTROGENS BY CORPUS LUTEUM, PLACENTA, AND PLACENTA PLUS FOETAL VISCERA IN EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY
Authors: Wu Chung-Hsiu , Flickinger George L. , Touchstone Joseph C.
Published: December 2008

A corpus luteum, placenta, and placenta plus foetal viscera of a 13-week old human pregnancy were incubated with dehydroepiandrosterone-7α-3H in vitro. Conversion to oestrone and 17β-oestradiol was found in all incubates. Oestriol was formed from dehydroepiandrosterone only in the incubate of placenta plus foetal viscera. Thus, in early pregnancy dehydroepiandrosterone may serve as a precursor for oestrogen biosynthesis not only in the foeto-placental compartment, but also in the corpus luteum.
ENDOCRINOLOGICAL STUDIES OF A CASE OF MOSAICISM (XO/XY/XXY) WITH CLINICAL APPEARANCE OF TESTICULAR FEMINIZATION SYNDROME
Authors: Uozumi Tohru , Nozaki Ryoichi , Matsumoto Keishi , Seki Tokuichiro , Furuyama Jun-ichi
Published: December 2008

A patient, aged 20, with a mosaicism of XO/XY/XXY (23:21:14) in the sex chromosome is described. The clinical picture of the patient was similar to that of the testicular feminization syndrome. The patient had three brothers but no sisters. Maternal history was negative. Although the preoperative urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion was double that of normal male adults, urinary oestrogens were within the normal range of adult males. It was found that the urinary 17-KS especially C19O2-17-KS and oestrogens markedly decreased after removal of the gonads while the urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids remained almost unchanged. An in vitro biosynthesis of the steroids was studied with pregnenolone used as a substrate in the testicular tissue from cryptorchid gonads. From the results obtained there is nothing to suggest that this endocrine disorder could be explained by an inability to synthesize testosterone. The formation of oestrogens in vitro was not demonstrated.
THE ADRENAL REPONSE OF HAMSTERS, GERBILS AND RATS TO EXOGENOUS CORTICOTROPHIN OR UNILATERAL ADRENALECTOMY
Authors: Robinson Paul F. , Reiter Russel J.
Published: December 2008

Either unilateral or sham adrenalectomy caused a marked decrease in the ascorbic acid content of the remaining adrenal gland of the rat. An even greater drop of this constituent was obtained one hour after the administration of 10 IU of corticotrophin.

Rat adrenal cholesterol was somewhat less responsive to the above treatment.

Unilateral or sham adrenalectomy had no significant effect on adrenal ascorbic acid or cholesterol in the hamster.

Twenty IU of corticotrophin caused a 20% drop in hamster adrenal cholesterol whereas 10 IU did not.

The response of the Mongolian gerbil to corticotrophin or adrenalectomy, either unilateral or sham, was approximately the same as that of the rat.
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTISERUM TO PURIFIED GONADOTROPHINS FROM RAT PITUITARY GLANDS
Authors: Lunenfeld B. , Eshkol Aliza , Baldratti G. , Suchowsky G. K.
Published: December 2008

Antiserum to a gonadotrophic extract of rat pituitary glands was prepared and investigated:

In specific assays the antiserum neutralized rat FSH and LH, as well as the total gonadotrophic effect measured by the mouse uterus test.

The antiserum did not counteract the gonadotrophic activity of HMG and HCG, but inhibited endogenous mouse gonadotrophins.

The antiserum interrupted the continuous oestrous cycle in androgen sterilized rats.

When antiserum was injected into mature female rats starting on the day of cornification, the leucocytic smear appeared within 24 hours and persisted for the duration of the injections.

Immunoelectrophoretic studies with the antiserum revealed formation of precipitation lines with the antigen used for immunization and with rat serum.

The antiserum cross-reacted in vitro with mouse serum.

No precipitin lines were observed,against normal human serum, human menopausal gonadotrophins or human chorionic gonadotrophin.

The response of antiserum treated immature mice and rats to human gonadotrophins is described. Interpretation of these findings is based on previous observations in hypophysectomized animals.

The possible use of animals immunologically deprived of endogenous gonadotrophins for the study of the response to specific human gonadotrophins is discussed.

The significance of substituting hypophysectomized animals for antiserum treated rodents is outlined.
HISTOMETRIC INVESTIGATIONS ON THE TESTICULAR TISSUE OF RATS WITH ALLOXAN DIABETES AND CHINESE HAMSTERS WITH SPONTANEOUS DIABETES
Authors: Schöffling Karl , Federlin Konrad , Schmitt Werner , Friedrich Pfeiffer Ernst
Published: December 2008

A qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of testicular tissue was made in 15 rats with alloxan diabetes, 11 Chinese hamsters with spontaneous diabetes, and 6 control animals of each species to determine whether morphological changes also occur in the diabetic test animal. Histometric determinations in both test groups showed a marked decrease in germinal epithelium throughout the testicular tissue and an increase in lumen. The interstitial tissue showed no significant quantitative dissimilarity between healthy and diseased animals. In both animal species we found that the more serious the metabolic disorder was during the period of observation, the more marked were the changes in the germinal epithelium and in the lumen. Qualitatively, disorders of various degrees were found, from a reduced number of sperms and spermatids to severe inhibition of spermatogenesis with cessation of spermatogenesis at the stage of primary spermatocytes. In addition, we observed in both animal species, a marked decline in the number of Leydig cells in cases of severe metabolic disorder. In the diabetic animal as well as in the diabetic human male, the changes in the testes can be determined histologically and both are indicative of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism frequently encountered in diabetes mellitus.
SOME FACTORS OF SIGNIFICANCE IN THE DOUBLE ANTIBODY IMMUNOASSAY OF INSULIN
Authors: Brunfeldt K. , Jorgensen K. R.
Published: December 2008

Differences were demonstrated between 4 insulin antibody (guinea pig) precipitating antisera (rabbit), int. al. in their ability to cross react with human γ-globulin components. This cross reaction is presumably the reason why »negative« insulin values can be found at higher concentrations of certain precipitating antisera. Independently of the precipitating antiserum it was possible, in some cases, to demonstrate a difference between the insulin concentration in serum and in heparinized plasma. This difference could be eliminated by the addition of heparin, by long-lasting freezing, and by dilution of the serum. Hence, the higher values found in certain cases in serum, as compared with plasma are presumably due to the presence of complement. It is essential in the use of the double antibody technique for the determination of insulin in plasma and serum that a heparin preparation with anti-complement activity should be used and that the concentration range of the precipitating antiserum should be fixed. The double antibody method can be used with or without pre-precipitation if the above mentioned criteria are fulfilled. Pre-precipitation, however, is to be preferred, as the precipitation reaction here occurs under constant conditions.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF PREGNANETRIOLONE AND PREGNANETETROL IN CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA
Authors: Halperin Gideon , Finkelstein Michael
Published: December 2008

Following the simultaneous intravenous injection of 17α-hydroxypregnenolone-3H and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone-14C to a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, the following labelled metabolites were isolated from the urine: 17α-OH-pregnanolone, 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol, pregn-5-ene-3β,17α,20α-triol, pregnanetriolone (3α,17α,20α-trihydroxy-5β-pregnan-11-one) and pregnanetetrol (5β-pregnane-3α,11β,17α,20α-tetrol).

The 3H/14C ratio recovered in the urinary pregnanetriolone and pregnanetetrol was higher than in the injected mixture. It thus follows that 17α-hydroxypregnenolone-3H was converted to both metabolites, at least in part, by a pathway(s) not including 17α-hydroxyprogesterone. Two additional pathways have been considered, I: 17α-OH-pregnenolone → pregn-5-ene-3β,1 1β,17 α-triol-20-one→21-deoxycortisol→ pregnanetriolone (or »tetrol«), and II: 17α-OH-pregnenolone → pregn-5-ene-3β,11β,17α-triol-20-one → pregn-5-enetriolone → pregnanetriolone (or »tetrol«).
INITIALE VERTEILUNG VON RADIO-C IN UNREIFEN RATTEN NACH INFUSION PHYSIOLOGISCHER MENGEN VON TESTOSTERON-4-14C
Authors: Mosebach K.-O. , Jühe H. , Dirscherl W.
Published: December 2008

Over a period of 2 hours the distribution and the specific activities of 14C (dpm/mg C) in organs of immature male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied after infusion of testosterone-4-14C.

Only in liver, adrenals, kidneys and lungs we found specific activities essentially higher than those of the blood. The values of testis, seminal vesicles, prostata, epididymis and penis were similar to blood.

Corresponding to former experiments using injection technique the more physiological infusion technique did not show any accumulation of radioactivity in the target organs too.

On the contrary the specific activity of the seminal vesicle secretion was clearly higher than those of the residue organ and the blood. In adrenals medulla contained more radioactivity than cortex, demonstrated by 3 different methods (combustion, extraction and histoautoradiography).

The distributions of progesterone-4-14C and oestradiol-4-14C after infusion in immature male rats were similar to those of testosterone-4-14C. The latter did not show a striking affinity for uterus, vagina and ovaries after infusion into female immature rats.
STUDIES ON THE ENZYMATIC DEGRADATION OF OXYTOCIN AND VASOPRESSIN BY HUMAN PREGNANCY SERA
Authors: Riad A. M.
Published: December 2008

The enzymatic cleavage of synthetic oxytocin and 8-lysine vasopressin by sera of women in advanced pregnancy was investigated by using paper chromatography. Following incubation of either hormone with pregnancy serum and subsequent oxidation, two molecular fractions were formed, of which one could be identified as L-cysteic acid. By contrast, oxidation of the intact cyclopeptide hormones did not lead to liberation of free L-cysteic acid. It was concluded that oxytocin and 8-lysine vasopressin were cleaved by an identical mechanism involving splitting of the peptide bond joining the tyrosine residue (position 2) to the amino-terminal halfcystine residue (position 1). Pregnancy serum »oxytocinase« and »vasopressinase« thus appeared to be one and the same enzyme.