bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple injections of LH-releasing hormone into hypogonadal (hpg) mice induce the appearance of two morphologically distinct populations of gonadotrophs
Authors: Lewis C. E. , Megson A. , Morris J. F. , Charlton H. M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
We have investigated the effects of multiple 2-hourly injections of LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) on the number and size of the gonadotrophs and gonadotroph secretory granules, and the lipid content of gonadotrophs in the pituitary glands of intact and gonadectomized male and female hypogonadal (hpg) mice. Gonadotrophs were identified by immunocytochemistry for LHβ, and the size and secretory status of the gonadotrophs were assessed by quantitative ultrastructural analysis of immunoidentified gonadotrophs. The administration of 60 ng LHRH by subcutaneous injection every 2 h for 15 days resulted in an increase in the number, size and granule content of LHβ-immunoidentified gonadotrophs of hpg mice to values found in normal adult mice. Large lipid droplets accumulated in 30–40% of the gonadotrophs in both male and female LHRH-treated hpg mice. Although lipid-containing gonadotrophs were larger than lipid-free cells in all LHRH-treated groups irrespective of the presence or absence of gonads, a marked difference in the number, position within the cell, and size of the secretory granules between the lipid-containing and lipid-free cells was found only in the pituitary glands of intact LHRH-treated hpg females.
These results demonstrate: (a) that the effects of multiple injections of LHRH on the morphology of the gonadotrophs of hpg mice is not dependent on the presence of functioning gonads, although ovarian factors are required for the full development of morphological, and hence possibly functional, heterogeneity in the gonadotroph population in female animals, and (b) that, although multiple injections of LHRH in hpg mice are more effective than single daily injections of LHRH in stimulating pituitary-gonadal function, there is no obvious difference in the morphologically recognizable effects that these two modes of administration have on the pituitary gonadotrophs.
J. Endocr. (1986) 111, 483–493
Coronary artery ligation and reperfusion in rabbits made diabetic with alloxan
Authors: Bhimji S. , Godin D. V. , McNeill J. H. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The biochemical and functional changes associated with ligation (40 min) of the left circumflex coronary artery and subsequent reperfusion (60 min) in the rabbit made diabetic with alloxan were studied and compared with those of control animals. Measurement of haemodynamic parameters revealed that both left ventricular pressure and mean arterial pressure were significantly (P < 0·05) decreased after ligation and reperfusion in the diabetic animals compared with controls. Analysis of subcellular organelle enzyme markers from the ischaemic tissue revealed that sarcolemmal Na+,K+-ATPase, mitochondrial ATPase and sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase activities were decreased after ligation to the same extent in the diabetic and control animals. However, upon reperfusion, the recovery of mitochondrial ATPase activity was significantly (P < 0·05) less in the diabetic animals than in the controls. Ion measurements revealed a significant (P < 0·05) depletion of Mg in diabetic hearts before ligation, and this was augmented during reperfusion. In contrast, a significantly (P < 0·05) higher calcium accumulation was observed upon reperfusion in the hearts of diabetic animals. Similarly, both tissue ATP levels and the ability of the mitochondria to generate ATP were depressed to a greater degree in the diabetic animals. Our results indicate, therefore, a greater susceptibility of the diabetic myocardium to ischaemic/reperfusion injury which in the clinical situation would exacerbate the problems associated with atherosclerosis and possibly contribute to the high mortality from cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients.
J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 43–49
Effect of pulsatile infusion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone on plasma oestradiol-17β concentrations and follicular development during naturally and artificially maintained high levels of plasma progesterone in heifers
Authors: Glencross R. G. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
To stimulate a follicular-phase pattern of pulsatile LH release, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH; 5 μg) was infused (i.v.) hourly into heifers for periods of 5–11 days during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle, and also when plasma progesterone levels were increased artificially by means of a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device.
Plasma oestradiol-17β concentrations increased from basal (EEE 2·5 pmol/l) to preovulatory peak levels (20–30 pmol/l) during the first 3 days of GnRH treatment. They were maintained at these values before returning to basal levels within 24 h of cessation of infusion. This response occurred regardless of the source of progesterone (endogenous or administered). Follicular development was observed by ovarian palpation (per rectum) in some heifers at the time of maximum secretion of oestradiol-17β. There was no detectable cervical mucus secretion or oestrous behaviour during these periods of high oestradiol-17β levels and ovulation did not occur. Treatment with GnRH did not affect plasma progesterone concentrations or oestrous cycle length.
The study shows that oestradiol-17β secretion and follicular development (and the accompanying oestrus and ovulation) are suppressed during the luteal phase of the cycle by high concentrations of plasma progesterone, and provides strong indirect evidence that such inhibition is associated with a reduction in the pulse frequency of LH release.
J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 77–85
Changes in plasma concentrations of LH, FSH and prolactin in ewes receiving melatonin and short-photoperiod treatments to induce early onset of breeding activity
Authors: Poulton A. L. , English J. , Symons A. M. , Arendt J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Breeding activity was similarly advanced in ewes given continuous (s.c. implant) or timed (oral dose at 15.30 h) melatonin treatments or subjected to a short (8 h light: 16 h darkness) artificial photoperiod. Treatments commenced in mid-June and were terminated in mid-November. Weekly and serial blood samples were collected before and after treatments commenced, to ascertain the effects on plasma prolactin, LH and FSH concentrations. In addition, serial blood samples were collected for 24 h plasma prolactin and melatonin estimations before and after cessation of the treatments.
Plasma prolactin levels were significantly reduced immediately following the start of the melatonin (implant and oral) and short-photoperiod treatments but 'rebounded' to levels greater than control values. The normal seasonal (spring) rise in plasma prolactin was noted in the following year. Before the onset of breeding activity, mean plasma LH and FSH concentrations and LH pulse frequency did not change following any of the treatments. The 24-h plasma melatonin profile accurately reflected the various applied treatments but had re-entrained to the prevailing (natural) photoperiod 1 week after termination of the treatments. There were no significant group differences in 24-h plasma prolactin levels 1 week before or 1 and 11 weeks after the treatments had ceased.
Such treatments, although successfully advancing the onset of breeding activity and modifying the seasonal plasma prolactin rhythm, were not manifested through any apparent change in peripheral LH or FSH.
J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 103–111
Effects of ageing and hormonal manipulations on the level of oestrogen receptors in the guinea-pig prostate
Authors: Tilley W. D. , Horsfall D. J. , McGee M. A. , Alderman J. E. , Marshall V. R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Cytosolic oestrogen receptor levels in guinea-pig prostate tissue were found to decrease with increasing age, irrespective of whether the binding was expressed relative to cytosolic protein or cellular DNA. This decrease in oestrogen receptor levels was also observed using enriched fibromuscular stromal tissue prepared by mechanical fractionation of the prostate. The most pronounced change in cytosolic oestrogen receptor levels (from 133 to 35 fmol/mg protein) occurred at the onset of puberty. The pubertal decrease in receptor levels could not be attributed to an increase in the level of proteolytic activity in prostatic cytosol fractions derived from mature animals, a change in the affinity of the receptor for oestradiol or an increase in oestrogen receptor levels in salt-extracted nuclear fractions. Administration of tamoxifen (1 mg/day) to intact guinea-pigs throughout the transpubertal growth phase did not influence the age-related decrease in cytosolic and nuclear oestrogen receptor levels. In contrast, the decrease in oestrogen receptor levels was prevented by castration. Administration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 1 mg/day) to intact prepubertal animals for 4 days before study resulted in diminished cytosolic oestrogen receptor levels; this effect of DHT was blocked by the non-steroidal antiandrogen flutamide (2 mg/day). Furthermore, elimination of testicular hormones by castration during the late-pubertal growth phase resulted in a greater than twofold increase in prostatic oestrogen receptor levels. Collectively, these observations suggest an age-related decrease in oestrogen receptor levels in the guinea-pig prostate which, in part, may be due to increased testicular function at puberty.
J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 139–144
Intranuclear distribution of androgen receptors in human prostate carcinoma
Authors: Kyprianou N. , Gingell J. C. , Davies P. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Androgen receptors in nuclei from human prostate carcinomas were characterized on the basis of their solubilization by, or resistance to, micrococcal nuclease. By this means, androgen receptors were assigned to three nuclear categories: those associated with nuclease-resistant structures, those associated with chromatin and those apparently uncommitted by association with either of these. Prostate carcinoma nuclei contained high concentrations (57–82% of total nuclear content) of nuclease-resistant androgen receptors. This was a different pattern from that observed previously for benign hypertrophic prostate epithelial nuclei which contained a variable high proportion of uncommitted androgen receptors. The differences could not be attributed to differential losses to cytosol, or to loss of functionality, as determined in vitro. The differences in distribution could reflect different responses of diseased cells to androgens, or the intervention of other factors more relevant to the disease process.
J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 161–169
Effect of an inhibitor of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase on progesterone concentrations and embryo survival in sheep
Authors: Ashworth C. J. , Wilmut I. , Springbett A. J. , Webb R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The effect of an inhibitor of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase on peripheral progesterone concentration during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle and on embryo survival was determined in sheep. Following administration of 10, 50, 100 or 250 mg epostane (4,5-epoxy-17-hydroxy-4,17,dimethyl-3-oxo-androstane-2-carbonitrile) progesterone concentrations were significantly lower than control levels 4 h after injection, from 2·5 to 22 h, 1·5 to 24 h and 1 to 24 h after injection respectively. There appeared to be no effect on peripheral oestradiol concentrations. Adrenal progesterone production was small and not influenced by epostane treatment.
Epostane was administered on day 9 of the oestrous cycle to cause a reduction in progesterone concentrations for approximately 12-18 h on day 9 only (group 1, 250 mg epostane on day 9), or a series of such reductions on 3 consecutive days (group 2, 50 mg epostane on days 9, 10 and 11) or a continuous reduction for 3 days (group 3, 250 mg epostane on days 9, 10 and 11). The proportion of ewes that were pregnant was significantly (P<0·05) lower in ewes treated to give a continuously low progesterone concentration for 3 days than in either controls or ewes in which progesterone concentration was reduced for less than 24 h (in controls and groups 1, 2 and 3 the proportion was 85, 92, 54 and 18% of ewes treated respectively). Embryo survival was not affected by administration of 250 mg epostane on days 9, 10 and 11 if luteal phase levels of progesterone were maintained by insertion of a silicone elastomer implant of the steroid. The proportion of embryos surviving was 72% in controls compared with 78% in the treated animals.
J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 205–213
Effects of hyperprolactinaemia on male sexual behaviour in the golden hamster and mouse
Authors: Shrenker P. , Bartke A. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
In the male rat, hyperprolactinaemia is associated with significant reductions in plasma LH and FSH levels and in several measures of copulatory behaviour. In contrast to this situation, experimental induction of hyperprolactinaemia in male mice and hamsters is associated with an increase in plasma gonadotrophin levels. It was therefore of interest to determine the effects of hyperprolactinaemia on the copulatory behaviour of these animals. Hyperprolactinaemia was induced by transplantation of pituitaries from adult females and sexual behaviour was tested in the presence of ovariectomized, oestrogen- and progesterone-treated females. Because hyperprolactinaemia increases plasma testosterone levels in intact male hamsters, the animals were castrated and implanted with testosterone-filled silicone elastomer capsules before induction of hyperprolactinaemia. In mice of two inbred strains, DBA/2J and C57BL/6Bg, hyperprolactinaemia appeared to stimulate male sexual behaviour as shown by a significant increase in the proportion of animals mating (C57BL/6) and a significant decrease in mount (DBA/2J) and intromission (C57BL/6Bg and DBA/2J) latencies. Similarly, hyperprolactinaemia did not suppress male copulatory behaviour in the hamster. In contrast, in two experiments in which the animals were tested three times for sexual behaviour, mount or intromission latencies were significantly reduced in pituitary-grafted, as compared with sham-operated males, in the first of the tests. Thus, in the mouse and the golden hamster, experimentally induced chronic hyperprolactinaemia stimulates both gonadotrophin release and male copulatory behaviour. These observations, together with the association of suppressive effects of hyperprolactinaemia on plasma LH and FSH levels and on sexual behaviour in the male rat, suggest the possible existence of a common mechanism underlying both endocrine and behavioural effects of hyperprolactinaemia. We suggest that the suspected effects of hyperprolactinaemia on the release of endogenous LHRH in the hypothalamus may represent such a mechanism.
J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 221–228
Effect of corticosterone on circulating concentrations of corticosterone, prolactin, thyroid hormones and somatomedin C and on fattening in broilers selected for high or low fat content
Authors: Buyse J. , Decuypere E. , Sharp P. J. , Huybrechts L. M. , Kühn E. R. , Whitehead C. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Daily changes in the concentrations of plasma corticosterone, prolactin, thyroid hormones and somatomedin C were measured in 28-day-old fat and lean lines of broilers produced by selection for high and low concentrations of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). The effects of daily injections of corticosterone on the concentrations of these hormones and on fattening were compared in the two lines. The selection procedure had no effect on the concentrations of any of the hormones. However, daily rhythms in concentrations of plasma corticosterone, tri-iodothyronine (T3) and prolactin were less often observed in the fat line than in the lean line. No differences were seen between lines in the daily rhythms in plasma thyroxine (T4) and somatomedin C. Daily injections of 2500 μg corticosterone/kg body weight, in both lines, depressed mean concentrations of plasma prolactin, T3 and somatomedin C and body weight. This dose of corticosterone also increased abdominal fat pad and liver weights expressed as a percentage of body weight. The liver and fat pad responses to 2500 μg corticosterone in both lines were greater when the steroid was injected at the end rather than towards the beginning of the 14-h daily photoperiod. There was no difference between the lines in the fattening response to corticosterone. Lower doses of 100 and 500 μg corticosterone per day did not induce fattening or affect concentrations of plasma prolactin. They did, however, depress concentrations of plasma T3. Concentrations of plasma T4 were increased in both lines treated with 2500, but not with 100 or 500 μg corticosterone, towards the beginning of the daily photoperiod. It is concluded that selection for low and high concentrations of VLDL does not affect mean levels of the hormones measured at 28 days of age or the fattening response to corticosterone. It does, however, alter the amplitude in the daily rhythm in concentrations of corticosterone, T3 and prolactin. The fattening response to corticosterone is associated with depressed concentrations of plasma prolactin, T3 and somatomedin C.
J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 229–237
The involvement of ovarian factors in maintaining the pituitary glands of female rats in a state of low LH responsiveness to LHRH
Authors: de Koning J. , Tijssen A. M. I. , van Rees G. P. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The effects of discontinuation and restoration of ovarian influences on the pituitary LH response to LHRH in vitro were investigated.
When female rat pituitary glands taken on day 2 of dioestrus were incubated with LHRH the release of LH was low during the first hour (lag phase response) and afterwards a progressive, protein synthesis-dependent increase took place (second phase response), this being the self-priming action of LHRH.
Short-term discontinuation (less than 1 day) of ovarian influences on the rat pituitary gland in vivo (ovariectomy) or in vitro (incubation in medium only) resulted in an increased LHRH-induced LH response during the lag phase.
The biphasic LH response or the self-priming action of LHRH disappeared completely after long-term discontinuation of ovarian influences on the pituitary gland, LH release being at its maximum from the start of the incubation. The biphasic response was reinstated when ovaries were implanted under the kidney capsules of ovariectomized rats. Auto-implantation of an ovary into the spleen immediately after bilateral ovariectomy did not, however, prevent the disappearance of the LHRH self-priming action. Ovarian activity responsible for the presence of the low LH response during the lag phase was thus effectively removed by the liver, but inhibin-like activity suppressing serum FSH levels remained present. Silicone elastomer implants (s.c.) containing oestradiol-17β, implanted for 4 weeks, did not reverse the loss of the biphasic LH response to LHRH.
It is concluded that liver-labile factors released by the ovaries keep the pituitary gland in a state of low responsiveness to LHRH. By giving a sufficiently high LHRH stimulus this inhibitory effect is neutralized and transition to a highly responsive state can be achieved. The ovarian factor(s) is not identical to inhibin or oestradiol-17β.
J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 265–273
A possible dual regulation of prolactin release by the serotoninergic system in rats at pro-oestrus and during late pregnancy: role of ovarian hormones
Authors: Jahn G. A. , Deis R. P. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The effect of para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA), an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis, on prolactin release was studied in rats on the day of pro-oestrus and at the end of pregnancy (day 19). The surges of prolactin normally seen in the afternoon of pro-oestrus in intact rats and in rats ovariectomized on dioestrous day 2 and primed with oestrogen were significantly inhibited by pCPA treatment. Administration of 5-hydroxy-tryptophan reversed the inhibitory action of pCPA on prolactin release. Treatment with progesterone also completely reversed the inhibitory effect of pCPA on prolactin release in pro-oestrous rats and partially reversed it in ovariectomized oestrogen-treated rats.
Ovariectomy on day 19 of pregnancy induced a significant release of prolactin 12 and 24 h later. Administration of pCPA on day 18 of pregnancy produced a marked increase in serum concentrations of prolactin on days 19 and 20 in rats left intact or ovariectomized on day 19. Administration of 5-hydroxy-tryptophan significantly reversed this stimulatory effect of pCPA on prolactin release but did not modify the release of prolactin induced by ovariectomy. Methiothepin (1-[10,11-dihydro-8-(methylthio) <b,f> thiepin-10,41]-4-methylpiperazine maleate), a serotonin receptor blocker, also induced a significant increase in serum concentrations of prolactin on day 20 of pregnancy in rats left intact or ovariectomized on day 19. These results suggest the existence of different serotoninergic actions in the regulation of prolactin release at pro-oestrus and in late pregnancy. Serotonin facilitates the surges of serum prolactin released at pro-oestrus and in ovariectomized rats treated with oestrogen; progesterone enhances this effect. On the other hand, during late pregnancy, when progesterone tonically inhibits prolactin release, serotonin inhibits the release of prolactin.
J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 367–374