bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PROGESTERONE IN BLOOD
Authors: SHORT R. V. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
A method is described for the chemical determination of progesterone in the peripheral venous blood of women, horses, cattle, sheep and pigs. The recovery rate of progesterone added to human plasma is 73 ± 4% (s.e.); in the cow, the recovery rate is 63 ± 1·9% (s.e.). In pregnant women approximately 25 ml. of plasma is sufficient for an assay, but in domestic animals the blood concentration of progesterone is much lower and a 500 ml. sample of plasma is usually required.
The method has been used for the determination of blood progesterone levels in both pregnant and non-pregnant domestic animals. In women progesterone has been detected as early as the 10th week of pregnancy, and preliminary results in pregnant cattle are given in the following paper [Short, 1958].
In addition, the method allows the simultaneous determination of two other related compounds found in peripheral blood: 20α- and 20β-hydroxypregn-4-en-3one.
The method is suitable for routine laboratory determinations; results can be obtained within 24 hr of receipt of a blood sample, and it is possible to carry out a number of assays in 1 day.
If small amounts of progesterone are incubated with whole ox blood at 37° C, there is a slow transformation (half-life approximately 7 hr) to 20β-hydroxypregn-4-en-3one.
A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF THE LACTATING MOUSE
Authors: GREENWALD G. S. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The histology of the reproductive tract of the lactating mouse is described.
During the first 11 days post partum, the largest vesicular follicles are 350μ in diameter, the corpora lutea of pregnancy are larger than the corpora lutea of lactation, and the vagina has a two-layered epithelium. Significant changes occur after 12 days post partum: the size of the follicles in most animals increases to 400–450μ, the corpora lutea of lactation are larger than the old set, and the vagina becomes mucified.
This suggests that lactation in the mouse is divided into two periods: the first in which progesterone and negligible amounts of oestrogen are present lasts until the 11th day. This is followed by a period of increasing levels of oestrogen and a gradual subsidence in that of progesterone.
A hypothesis is proposed to account for the morphological changes that occur during lactation.
A HISTOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL STUDY OF THE MAMMARY GLAND IN NORMAL AND AGALACTIC SOWS
Authors: CROSS B. A. , GOODWIN R. F. W. , SILVER I. A. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
1. A method has been devised for obtaining repeated biopsy samples from the mammaryglands of sows, and by its use the histological changes associated with farrowing have been studied.
2. Before farrowing, the alveoli were at first small and filled with a hyaline eosinophilic secretion. Progressive distension of the alveoli followed, accompanied by a gradual replacement of the eosinophilic material by basophilic secretion and the onset of fat secretion. At farrowing the alveoli were contracted and their contents evacuated.
3. Acute involutional changes seen in the engorged glands of early-weaned animals, or animals that were suckled with one teat occluded, were characterized by solidification of the alveoli, swollen degenerating epithelial cells and, later, stromal proliferation. Little alveolar structure remained after 8 days.
4. Descriptions are given of three main types of mammary defect that were detected histologically in clinical cases of agalactia.
5. In experiments on milk ejection, recorded manometrically, the dose-response relation to injected oxytocin was determined. Two out of three sows responded to 10 mu. and maximal responses were obtained with doses of 200–500 mu.
6. The occurrence of myoepithelial cells in the sow's mammary gland has been demonstrated by the alkaline phosphatase technique.
THE USE OF ION-EXCHANGE MATERIALS IN THE PREPARATION OF GONADOTROPHINS FROM URINE
Authors: BUTT W. R. , ROUND BRENDA P. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
1. Gonadotrophins were extracted from urine by adsorption on kaolin and their behaviour on ion-exchange materials was examined.
2. Anionic resins in a borate form, and diethylaminoethyl cellulose removed inactive material from these extracts with no loss of gonadotrophic activity.
3. It is recommended that these methods be introduced into the routine kaolin extraction procedure instead of the method employing tricalcium phosphate, the use of which may cause losses of active material.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE REFRACTORY PERIOD OF REPRODUCTION IN MALE BIRDS BY MEANS OF EXOGENOUS PROLACTIN AND FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE
Authors: LOFTS B. , MARSHALL A. J. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
At the end of the breeding season wild birds become refractory to photostimulation, and at the same time there is cessation of spermatogenesis, production of cholesterol-positive tubular lipids, tubular collapse and an overall reduction in size of the testis. These natural events can be duplicated by hypophysectomy or prolactin injection. Just before the onset of such changes the males of at least some wild species produce prolactin.
It is shown in pigeons that exogenous prolactin is probably without direct effect on the avian testis, operating merely by inhibiting adenohypophysial activity. However, since in pluralbrooded wild species such collapse is delayed until the last clutch of the season has been fertilized and the males of some of these also brood the eggs, it seems likely that, in nature, prolactin can only temporarily depress, and not inhibit, the output of gonadotrophin. The seasonal inhibition of adenohypophysial function, and the resultant metamorphosis of the testis, is probably essentially under neural control with external stimuli ultimately involved.
As regards the termination of the refractory period, it is demonstrated that very small quantities (0·6 i.u.) of exogenous follicle stimulating hormone will clear the tubules of experimentally produced (by hypophysectomy) 'post-nuptial' lipids and cholesterol almost immediately after their appearance. This is interpreted as confirmatory evidence that it is the anterior pituitary, and not the testis, that becomes seasonally refractory. The time taken for the rhythmical annual recovery of adenohypophysial function is probably one of the most important events in the regulation of avian breeding seasons and migration.
THE INFLUENCE OF AGE ON LITTER-SIZE
Authors: INGRAM D. L. , MANDL ANITA M. , ZUCKERMAN S. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
In three related strains of rats the numbers of fertile females have been found to fall with age and with the birth of successive litters. In thirty-five rats belonging to these three strains, each of which had a minimum of eight litters, the second litter was generally bigger than the first. From then on, however, litter-size gradually fell until the animals ceased to breed.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE VIABILITY OF FROZEN OVARIAN TISSUE
Authors: PARKES A. S. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Viability of rat ovarian tissue frozen and thawed in vitro was assessed by its capacity to form an endocrinologically active autograft, and variables associated with the treatment have been studied.
Other neutral solutes tested were not as effective as glycerol in protecting against freezing damage, and 15% (v/v) glycerol was more effective than 10% and much more effective than 5%.
The duration of soaking before slow freezing can be reduced with advantage from 1 hr to 15 min.
One-stage rapid freezing to −79° C was very damaging to the tissue as compared with slow freezing, but two-stage rapid freezing, recently described as being effective with bull spermatozoa, gave intermediate results.
Tissue frozen in glycerol-saline deteriorates rapidly after thawing if left at room temperature, but transference to glycerol horse serum after thawing largely preserves viability. Some implications of this result are discussed.
THE PRESENCE OF AN INHERENT REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE IN THE MALE LABORATORY RAT
Authors: GUNN S. A. , GOULD THELMA C. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The data presented in this paper illustrate a distinct yearly cycle of activity in the capacity of the dorso-lateral prostate (d.l.p.) of the male laboratory rat to concentrate injected 65Zn. From 60 to 85% more 65Zn was taken up per mg of glandular tissue in the months of February-March and June-July than at other times of year. Studies of the corresponding weights of the d.l.p. showed trends towards lower glandular weights in January and in April; the maximum difference noted between high and low glandular weights was, however, only 28%. That this increased uptake of 65Zn by the d.l.p. in February-March and June-July was a strong inherent feature was illustrated by the fact that rats of various ages, from 8 weeks to 1½ years, showed this increased glandular activity at these times of year. Of all the animals tested only the immature rat of 5 weeks of age and the exhausted breeder did not manifest this seasonal activity.
THE EFFECT OF GLUCAGON PREPARATIONS ON THE UPTAKE OF GLUCOSE BY ISOLATED RAT DIAPHRAGM
Authors: RANDLE P. J. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The uptake of glucose by isolated rat diaphragm is increased in the presence of glucagon preparations (at concentrations of 20–200 μg/ml.). Evidence is produced which appears to show that this effect is due to the presence of insulin in preparations of glucagon. The insulin content of an amorphous preparation of glucagon, assayed with isolated diaphragm, appeared to be of the order of 1% (w/w). In view of this finding, it is suggested that no conclusions can be drawn about a possible effect of glucagon on carbohydrate metabolism in muscle until preparations are available which are entirely free from insulin.
THE HYDROLYSIS OF CONJUGATED OESTRONE, OESTRADIOL-17β AND OESTRIOL IN HUMAN URINE
Authors: BROWN J. B. , BLAIR H. A. F. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The hydrolysis of the conjugates of oestrone, oestradiol-17β and oestriol present in human urine has been investigated using acids and the enzymes β-glucuronidase and phenol sulphatase derived from Patella vulgata.
Using acid hydrolysis, maximum yields were obtained from the majority of urines by boiling 60 min with 15 vol. % concentrated hydrochloric acid. Under these conditions losses amounting to approx. 20% of the oestrogens present occur in concentrated urine specimens. These losses can be diminished by diluting the urine with water before hydrolysis.
Using enzymic hydrolysis, maximum yields were obtained by incubating the urine for 96 hr at 37° C and pH 4·7 with approx. 600 u./ml. β-glucuronidase.
When allowance was made for the losses which occur during acid hydrolysis, the yields from pregnancy and non-pregnancy urine were approximately the same by the two hydrolytic procedures. From this, it is inferred that no unknown major error exists in either procedure.
SEASONAL RHYTHM IN THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE SUPRARENAL CORTEX IN WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE
Authors: MACKINNON I. L. , MACKINNON P. C. B. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
1. Suprarenal glands from forty-four women of child-bearing age who died by misadventure were divided into 'summer' and 'winter' groups, the summer group consisting of twenty-one from women who died in April\p=m-\September and the winter group of twenty-three from women who died in October\p=m-\March.
2. The widths and the nuclear densities of four cortical zones, the glomerulosa, the outer fasciculata, the inner fasciculata and the reticularis, were measured in each gland, and the data obtained for both summer and winter groups compared.
3. In the zona glomerulosa nuclear population was increased in summer, due to a significant increase in nuclear density. There was no significant change in the width of this zone.
4. In the outer zona fasciculata and in the zona reticularis there were no significant seasonal differences in width or in nuclear density.
5. In the inner zona fasciculata the nuclear population was considerably increased in summer, due to significant increases in both width and nuclear density.
6. The lipoid content appeared to be similar in summer and winter in each of the four zones.
7. It was suggested that the increase in nuclear population in the zona glomerulosa in summer might indicate an increase in output of sodium-retaining hormones which could account for the increase in water retention at that time of year, and that the increase in nuclear population in the inner zona fasciculata in summer was a manifestation of separate functioning of this region.
THE EFFECT OF STEROID HORMONES ON THE ABSORPTION OF ANTIBODY BY THE YOUNG RAT
Authors: HALLIDAY R. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Evidence is presented of a relationship, in mice and rats, between adrenocortical steroids, the alkaline phosphatase activity of the duodenum and the ability of the young animal to absorb antibody from the gut. The normal decline in absorptive ability coincides in time with an increase in the duodenal alkaline phosphatase. Both these processes could be induced prematurely by the administration of large doses of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) or cortisone acetate. The initial effect of the administration of cortisone was an increase in antibody absorption; the reduction in absorption which followed was complete after 2 days. Aldosterone, progesterone, testosterone and stilboestrol, in the doses used, had no effect on antibody absorption comparable with that of cortisone or DCA. Maintenance of the young animal away from its mother resulted in a reduction of absorption similar to that resulting from cortisone or DCA administration.
A METHOD FOR THE QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF GONADOTROPHINS IN THE URINE OF NON-PREGNANT HUMAN SUBJECTS
Authors: LORAINE J. A. , BROWN J. B. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
A method for the quantitative determination of gonadotrophins in the urine of non-pregnant human subjects is described.
The reliability criteria for the method have been studied and the technique has been found to be satisfactory in terms of accuracy, precision, sensitivity and specificity.
The importance of expressing results of urinary gonadotrophin assays in terms of a reference preparation such as HMG 20A is emphasized.
SUCCINIC DEHYDROGENASE AND ADENOSINETRIPHOSPHATASE ACTIVITIES OF CORPORA LUTEA, OVARIAN INTERSTITIAL TISSUE AND ENDOMETRIUM FROM PSEUDOPREGNANT RABBITS AND RABBITS TREATED WITH GONADOTROPHIC HORMONES
Authors: BIDDULPH C. , MARTIN M. SAN , BECKER S. C. , McSHAN W. H. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The succinic dehydrogenase (SDHase) and adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activities were determined in the corpora lutea, ovarian interstitial tissue and endometria of pseudopregnant (PP) rabbits and rabbits in which superovulation was produced by treatment with pituitary gonadotrophins (SO). Statistical analysis of the results showed that the weight, SDHase, ATPase and percentage solids of the corpora lutea, and the SDHase of the endometria of each of the two groups varied significantly (P<0·01) between days. The day values for the SDHase of the endometria, however, were particularly high in SO rabbits at the 2-day stage and low in the 12- to 16-day stages as compared with the PP group. Other differences found were of less statistical significance.
The results are considered in relation to the poor survival of embryos formed from eggs of SO rabbits. The lesser weight of the corpora lutea and the lesser SDHase activity of the endometria of the SO group, as compared with the PP group during the latter half of the experimental period, may be significant in relation to the poorer survival of embryos.
THE PASSAGE OF SPERMATOZOA THROUGH THE GENITAL TRACT OF FEMALE RABBITS AFTER OVARIECTOMY AND OESTROGEN TREATMENT
Authors: NOYES R. W. , ADAMS C. E. , WALTON A. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The effect of oestrogen on the passage of spermatozoa through the female genital tract was studied in seventy-nine ovariectomized rabbits. Sexually mature females were spayed, and 1 month later treated for 5–18 days with daily injections of a known quantity of oestradiol benzoate. The does were then mated or surgically inseminated into the vagina or uterus. Twelve to 21 hr later, freshly ovulated ova from unmated donor rabbits were injected into the uterine tubes in order to detect the presence of spermatozoa at the site of fertilization. Ten to 78 hr later the does were killed and the ova recovered and examined for fertilization and the presence of spermatozoa.
The proportion of animals with fertilized ova, and the proportion of ova fertilized in individual does, was small before treatment with oestradiol benzoate, but increased after treatment, about 1 μg/day for 4 days giving the best response. Mucus was abundant in the cervices of does injected with 1 μg or more of oestrogen/day.
The minimal effective dose of oestrogen was reduced in does which were inseminated into the cervical end of the uterus, and was still lower in does inseminated into the tubal end. This indicates that both the cervix and the uterus restrict the number of spermatozoa reaching the site of fertilization. The restriction can be partially or wholly overcome by oestrogen treatment.
Normal mating behaviour can be re-established in ovariectomized does by the daily administration of 1 μg oestradiol benzoate for 4 days.
STUDIES ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OVARIAN HORMONES AND UTERINE INFECTION
Authors: BROOME A. W. J. , LAMMING G. E. , WOODBINE M. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Blood plasma was collected under aseptic conditions from cows at various stages of the oestrous cycle; from steers; from oestrous, pseudopregnant and ovariectomized rabbits, and from ovariectomized rabbits treated with either stilboestrol dipropionate or progesterone.
The antibacterial activity of plasma samples was tested by three methods using four organisms commonly associated with uterine infection. These methods were: diffusion on seeded agar plates, turbidimetric measurement of bacterial growth, and direct counting.
These methods failed to demonstrate any bactericidal factor in blood plasma which can be influenced by ovarian hormones. The results suggest that the mechanisms responsible for the differing bacteridical activity of uteri from animals under the influence of oestrogen and progesterone are not associated with differences in the antibacterial properties of their blood plasma.
THE SPERMICIDAL ACTIVITY OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IN VITRO AND IN VIVO
Authors: WALES R. G. , WHITE I. G. , LAMOND D. R. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The effect of hydrogen peroxide on the motility of bull, fowl, dog, ram, mouse, rabbit and human spermatozoa has been studied in vitro. Although 3 p.p.m. peroxide had a small but significant action on bull and fowl spermatozoa, those of the other species were more resistant, and 30–300 p.p.m. was usually required to produce substantial spermicidal effects, and even 3000 p.p.m. failed to immobilize rabbit spermatozoa completely.
Ram, dog and rabbit spermatozoa were rendered more susceptible by washing, and the seminal plasma was found to decompose hydrogen peroxide. The agent, in rabbit seminal plasma at least, is probably catalase.
Hydrogen peroxide given orally to mice and rabbits did not affect either the spermatozoa or fertility.
THE EFFECT OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY ON THE MOUSE UTERINE RESPONSE TO GONADOTROPHINS
Authors: LAMOND D. R. , EMMENS C. W. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
A technique for the rapid hypophysectomy of immature female mice is described. The response of the uterus to pituitary and placental gonadotrophins is compared in normal mice, mice hypophysectomized at the time of injection, and 24 hr prior to injection.
The results suggest that responses to placental gonadotrophins are limited by endogenous gonadotrophin production, while those to impure pituitary gonadotrophins are not.
THE EFFECTS OF STEROID SEX HORMONES ON PREGNANT RATS
Authors: DREISBACH R. H. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Single doses of up to 0·4 mg/kg oestrone injected s.c. were found to interfere with pregnancy in the rat up to the 11th day post coitum (p.c.). As little as 0·02 mg/kg was effective during the period of tubal transport, while 0·1 mg/kg was necessary to prevent implantation after the ovum was free in the uterus. After implantation had taken place, 0·4 mg/kg injected on days 8, 9 or 10 destroyed some or all embryos or, if injected on days 10 or 11, caused delay in parturition. Delay in parturition was no longer reliably produced by the injection of 0·4 mg/kg on the 16th day of gestation.
A single dose of 4·0 mg/kg testosterone prevented implantation in 75% of rats if injected s.c. during days 5–8 p.c., and produced either foetal loss or delay in parturition in 69% of rats when injected on days 9–11 p.c. A single dose of 20 mg/kg testosterone was effective in all rats tested in preventing implantation if injected on days 1 and 5, producing foetal loss if injected on day 9 or delaying parturition if injected on days 11 and 16.
A single dose of 4·0 mg/kg androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol prevented implantation or caused foetal loss in 93% of rats injected on days 5–11 p.c. This hormone was considerably more potent in preventing implantation and causing foetal loss than its androgenic potency as compared with testosterone would suggest. In contrast to testosterone, androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol did not cause delay in parturition at doses up to 20 mg/kg.
The effects of two other steroids tested, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione and 17α-methyl-androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol, on pregnant rats were equivalent to or less than their androgenic potency would suggest.
GROWTH OF THE VAGINAL EPITHELIUM OF THE MOUSE IN TISSUE CULTURE
Authors: MARTIN L. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The vagina of the immature mouse has been cultured in biological and completely synthetic media for periods up to 72 hr. Growth and cornification of the epithelium occurred in the absence of oestrogens, and was not prevented by the addition of a number of hormones and vitamins to the medium.
The significance of the results is discussed, with respect to the mechanism of action of oestrogens.
ARBORIZATION OF CERVICAL MUCUS IN THE EWE
Authors: RAESIDE J. I. , McDONALD M. F. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The phenomenon of crystallization (arborization) of cervical mucus was studied in the ewe. Some arborization was detected at irregular intervals in a few anoestrous and pregnant ewes, but it did not appear to be related to cyclic ovarian activity. Mucus collected during the normal oestrous cycle showed crystallization patterns from approx. 3 days before oestrus until 2 days after oestrus. Nearly all animals showed the phenomenon on the day before and on the day of oestrus. The prediction of onset of oestrus relative to the first occurrence of arborization was not accurate owing to variability in both the onset and appearance of crystallization patterns.
In four cycles ovulation without heat was probably detected by the appearance of arborization in the cervical mucus.
Single injections of oestradiol benzoate (ODB) were given during 115 oestrous cycles on the 3–4, 6–7 or 10–12 days after the onset of oestrus in an attempt to determine the quantities of injected oestrogen needed for arborization during the luteal phase. At these periods all, or nearly all, ewes showed arborization when injected with 100, 150 and 100 μg ODB respectively. Further differences between stages of the luteal phase were noted at the lower levels of oestrogen administration.
The inhibition of crystallization patterns was noted when blood, seminal plasma and cellular debris were contaminants in cervical mucus. In view of these findings the importance of collecting uncontaminated cervical mucus is stressed.
Arborization of cervical mucus appeared to be a better indicator of ovarian activity in the ewe than did arborization in mucus collected from the vagina.