bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autoradiographic localization of oxytocin receptors in the endometrium during the oestrous cycle of the ewe
Authors: Ayad V. J. , Matthews E. L. , Wathes D. C. , Parkinson T. J. , Wild M. L. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to determine the localization of the endometrial oxytocin receptor during the ovine oestrous cycle, particularly on day 14, the time of initiation of luteal regression in the ewe. Samples were obtained from 29 ewes at different stages of the oestrous cycle (several during the luteal phase and on every day between day 14 (− 2) and day + 3 of the oestrous period).
Oxytocin receptors were localized autoradiographically in sections of uterine tissue, using the 125I-labelled oxytocin receptor antagonist [1-(β-mercapto-β,β-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid), 2-(ortho-methyl)-Tyr2,Thr4,Orn8,Tyr9-NH2]-vasotocin (125I-labelled OTA). There was some variation in the pattern of 125I-labelled OTA labelling between different uterine tissue samples from the same ewe and also between samples obtained from different ewes thought to be at the same stage of the oestrous cycle. A clear overall pattern did, however, emerge with 125I-labelled OTA-binding sites distributed between luminal epithelial cells, glandular epithelial cells and caruncular stromal cells to varying extents on different days of the cycle.
During the luteal phase (days 5–12) clear specific labelling of endometrial tissue was generally absent. On day 14 labelling was evident on the luminal epithelium, but only in nine tissue samples out of a total of 18 studied, indicating that the entire luminal surface did not contain oxytocin receptors at this time. Between the day before oestrus and day 3 of the oestrous cycle the luminal epithelium was consistently labelled. The most extensive labelling of the remaining endometrial tissue was observed on the day of oestrus, with 125I-labelled OTA-binding sites clearly present on the stromal cells within caruncles and on a large proportion of secretory epithelia. This contrasted with the day before and the day after oestrus when labelling of glandular tissue was confined to the superficial endometrium, and labelling of caruncular stromal cells, although sometimes evident, was never as intense as on day 0. On days 2 and 3 labelling varied between being similar to that found on day 1 and being confined to the luminal epithelium and very few superficial secretory glands.
The results of this study lead us to conclude that the oxytocin receptor shows a differential distribution between stromal cells, epithelial cells lining secretory glands and luminal epithelial cells during the oestrous cycle; that the steroidal regulation of the oxytocin receptor differs between endometrial cell types; and that control of the luminal epithelial oxytocin receptors is probably of particular importance to the regulation of prostaglandin F2α release at luteal regression and during the maternal recognition of pregnancy.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 199–206
Characteristics and developmental changes of corticotrophin-releasing hormone-binding sites in the fetal sheep anterior pituitary gland
Authors: Lü F. , Yang K. , Challis J. R. G. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The responses of the fetal sheep pituitary to corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) change during gestation with maximum output of ACTH around days 120–130, and decreased ACTH output near term. However, there is no information available concerning the extent to which these responses may be modulated by alterations in the number of CRH receptors. Therefore we measured specific CRH-binding sites, and changes in binding characteristics in membrane preparations from fetal sheep anterior pituitaries collected at days 65–70, 85–88, 100–110, 125–130 and at term (approximately 145 days). Binding assays were carried out using 125I-labelled Tyr-ovine CRH (125I-Tyr-oCRH), incubated with crude membrane fractions for 90 min at 22 °C. Binding was time- and temperature-dependent, linear with protein concentration, saturable and specific for oCRH. Scatchard analysis of binding data for individual tissues revealed a single class of CRH-binding sites with high affinity (Kd ≃1 nmol/l) that did not change significantly with gestational age. However, the number of CRH-binding sites increased progressively from days 65–70 to a maximum at days 125–130, then decreased at term. These results demonstrate the presence of specific CRH-binding sites in the fetal sheep anterior pituitary. Furthermore, the change in CRH receptor number with advancing pregnancy follows a similar time-course to the changes reported previously in responsiveness of the fetal sheep anterior pituitary to exogenous CRH stimulation in vivo. These results suggest that alterations in CRH receptor number may contribute to changes in responsiveness of the fetal sheep anterior pituitary to CRH during gestation.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 223–229
Regulation by thyroid status of c-myc, c-fos and H-ras mRNAs in the rat myocardium
Authors: Green N. K. , Gammage M. D. , Franklyn J. A. , Sheppard M. C. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Effects of thyroid status on expression of a variety of myocardial genes, such as those encoding contractile proteins, have been reported, as well as interactions between thyroid hormones and developmental and haemodynamic regulation of contractile protein synthesis. In addition, it is clear that developmental and haemodynamic factors regulate expression of specific proto-oncogenes, including c-myc, c-fos and H-ras, in the myocardium but the effect of thyroid status on such proto-oncogene products, which are proposed to play a critical signal-transducing role in the heart, has been previously unexplored.
In order to determine whether changes in thyroid status are associated with changes in expression of these putative intracellular signals, we examined the effect of hypothyroidism and tri-iodothyronine (T3) treatment on myocardial levels of c-myc, c-fos and H-ras mRNAs in the rat. The induction of hypothyroidism was associated with a marked increase in myocardial c-myc, c-fos and H-ras mRNAs, changes reversed by 72 h of T3 replacement. Administration of T3 to euthyroid rats had no significant effect on myocardial c-myc or c-fos mRNAs, but inhibition of H-ras mRNA by T3 was evident. These observations demonstrating influences of thyroid status on expression of specific proto-oncogenes suggest that thyroid hormones, as well as exerting direct effects on expression of functionally important myocardial genes, also interact with the cellular transduction pathways mediated by the products of the c-myc, c-fos and H-ras genes.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 239–244
Reduced serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in protein-restricted growing rats are accompanied by reduced IGF-I mRNA levels in liver and skeletal muscle
Authors: VandeHaar M. J. , Moats-Staats B. M. , Davenport M. L. , Walker J. L. , Ketelslegers J.-M. , Sharma B. K. , Underwood L. E. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is reduced in growing rats fed a low-protein diet, and this decrease is age-dependent, being more pronounced in younger animals. To determine whether this decrease in serum IGF-I is related to a decrease in IGF-I mRNA, growing female rats were given free access to either a 15% protein-sufficient or a 5% protein-deficient diet for 1 week. Protein restriction in 4-week-old rats decreased body weight gain by 44% (P < 0·001) compared with 4-week controls), serum IGF-I concentration by 67% (P < 0·001) and liver IGF-I mRNA abundance by 51% (P < 0·001). During week 6, protein restriction for 1 week resulted in a 20% increase in food intake with no change in weight gain, a 38% reduction in serum IGF-I (P < 0·001 compared with 6-week controls) and a 39% decrease in liver IGF-I mRNA (P < 0·001). The serum IGF-I concentration was highly correlated (r = 0·80; P < 0·001) with the hepatic IGF-I mRNA concentration. Skeletal muscle IGF-I mRNA abundance was also decreased significantly by protein restriction (37% at week 4, P<0·001, and 24% at week 6, P < 0·01) and was closely correlated (r = 0·71; P < 0·001) with body weight gain. Liver GH-binding protein and GH receptor mRNA abundance were reduced by 1 week of protein deprivation at week 6 but not at week 4. We conclude that the reduced serum IGF-I of young rats fed a low-protein diet is due, in part, to reduced liver IGF-I mRNA, and that these changes are not dependent on GH binding. Decreased skeletal muscle IGF-I mRNA during protein restriction is consistent with an autocrine/paracrine action of IGF-I in muscle.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 305–312
Influence of nutritional status on growth hormone-dependent circulating somatomedin-C activity in mature sheep
Authors: Wynn P. C. , Stuart M. C. , Wallace A. L. C. , Kirby A. C. , Annison E. F. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The effect of daily administration of ovine GH for a period of 4 weeks on somatomedin-C biological activity in plasma was investigated in mature Merino sheep fed a maintenance energy intake (low plane; LP) or 1·6 times this amount (high plane; HP). The GH treatment resulted in a significant (P < 0·05) increase in plasma GH levels in blood samples collected 23·5 h after each daily injection in both LP and HP groups. Plasma concentrations of somatomedin-C activity and insulin were significantly stimulated to a maximum level by the third GH injection and remained at this level for 7 days. Subsequently, circulating levels of both hormones fell to 40–50% of the peak response to GH and returned to basal levels within 48 h of the cessation of GH injections. In the HP group the response of plasma insulin and somatomedin-C activity to GH injection was greater than in the LP group.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 313–320
Roles of progesterone and oestradiol in determining the temporal sequence and quantitative expression of sexual receptivity and the preovulatory LH surge in the ewe
Authors: Fabre-Nys C. , Martin G. B. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
In a series of experiments using a quantitative method for measuring receptivity and implants that allowed rapid and controlled changes in the blood concentrations of oestradiol-17β and progesterone, we have re-examined the roles of these steroids in the induction of sexual behaviour and the LH surge in ovariectomized ewes.
Progesterone priming was found to increase the proportion of ewes showing oestrus, reduce the latency to the onset of oestrus, and increase the 'intensity' of the behaviour as measured by the receptivity index, but it did not affect the size of the LH surge. Progesterone was able to facilitate the expression of oestrus even when it was withdrawn 8 days before oestrogen treatment, suggesting that it exerts its effect by restoring the sensitivity of the oestrogen-refractory animal to oestrogen. When it was present at the time oestrogen was administered, progesterone inhibited the stimulatory effect of oestrogen, but this effect disappeared as soon as the progesterone was withdrawn. Thereafter, expression of both the behavioural and endocrine responses was delayed by 24–30 h. These data show that the timing of the preovulatory behavioural and endocrine events is determined primarily by the time of progesterone withdrawal. The amount of oestradiol and the timing of any rise in concentration serve only to modulate these effects.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 367–379
The cell-adhesive effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on pituitary cells in vitro
Authors: Inoue K. , Sakai T. , Hattori M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Both native and recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) exerted a marked effect on the morphology of a pituitary clonal somatotroph-like cell line (MtT/S) in vitro. Addition of 10 pg–20 ng bovine basic FGF/ml caused the cells to flatten and spread out over the culture dish, the cells showing strong surface contact. Those in contact with the culture dish were epithelial in appearance, being polygonal, closely apposed and forming a pavement-like monolayer. Basic FGF inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner at the higher concentrations tested (0·5–20 ng/ml). This cell-adhesive effect of basic FGF was also observed in normal dispersed pituitary cells. The observed stimulation of pituitary cell adhesion is the first report of a morphological effect of basic FGF on pituitary cells and could explain the physiological significance of basic FGF and its high concentration in the pituitary gland.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 381–386
Diurnal changes in the plasma concentrations of LH and hypothalamic contents of LHRH-I and LHRH-II in the domestic hen
Authors: Wilson S. C. , Gladwell R. T. , Cunningham F. J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Diurnal changes of LH secretion in sexually immature hens of 9, 11, 13 and 15 weeks of age consisted of 25–40% increases in the mean concentrations of LH in plasma between 15.00 and 18.00 h, i.e. between 2 h before and 1 h after the onset of darkness. During this time there was a tendency for the mean contents of LHRH-I in the anterior hypothalamus and posterior hypothalamus to increase by 21–74% and 20–56% respectively. In hens of 9 and 15 weeks, diurnal changes in the plasma concentration of LH closely paralleled those of LHRH-I content in the posterior hypothalamus. In contrast, the diurnal rhythm of LH secretion in hens of 11 and 13 weeks was more marked and plasma concentrations of LH continued to rise steeply between 18.00 and 21.00 h, i.e. between 1 and 4 h after the onset of darkness. At 11 weeks, this was associated with a reduction (P<0·01) in the contents of LHRH-I and LHRH-II, particularly in the anterior hypothalamus. In laying hens, a diurnal decline (P<0·01) in the plasma concentration of LH between 1 and 4 h after the onset of darkness was preceded by a fall (P<0·05) in the content of LHRH-I in the posterior hypothalamus and in the total hypothalamic content of LHRH-II (P<0·01). In all groups of hens, irrespective of the times of day at which tissue was taken, significant (P<0·05–<0·001) correlations between the contents of LHRH-I and LHRH-II in the anterior hypothalamus were observed.
It is concluded that a diurnal rhythm of release of LHRH-I may drive the diurnal rhythm of LH secretion. Thus, in sexually immature hens of 9 and 15 weeks and laying hens in which diurnal changes in plasma LH were small there were parallel changes in the content of LHRH-I in the posterior hypothalamus. However, where the plasma concentration of LH was increased substantially, as at 11 weeks, there was a decline in the hypothalamic contents of LHRH-I. A simultaneous fall in the hypothalamic content of LHRH-II raises the possibility of a causal relationship between the activities of LHRH-II, LHRH-I and the release of LH.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 457–462
Galanin in the normal human pituitary and brain and in pituitary adenomas
Authors: Bennet W. M. , Hill S. F. , Ghatei M. A. , Bloom S. R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Galanin-like immunoreactivity (IR) was measured by radioimmunoassay in extracts of non-tumorous and tumorous human pituitaries and in multiple sites in the human brain. Galanin-IR was present in considerable quantities in the non-tumorous pituitaries (21·4±1·2 pmol/g wet weight; mean ± s.e.m., n = 30). In 25 pituitary tumours, galanin-IR was detectable in extracts of only nine, with a mean concentration of 11·5±4·4 pmol/g. Galanin-IR was undetectable in the remaining 16. Of ten brain sites, galanin-IR was detected only in the hypothalamus, where the concentration was 9·1±1·8 pmol/g (n = 5). On fast protein liquid chromatography of the non-tumorous pituitary extracts, galanin-IR mostly eluted in a peak with a retention time similar to that of synthetic porcine galanin. On gel permeation chromatography, galanin-IR eluted as a peak with an elution coefficient (Kav) of 0·72, also similar to that of porcine galanin, with additional preceding (Kav 0·62) and following (Kav 0·77) peaks of galanin-IR. These results show that healthy human pituitary and hypothalamus contain substantial amounts of galanin, whereas it is present in variable amounts or not at all in pituitary tumours. Chromatographic analysis suggests that pituitary galanin is present in three molecular forms, with the majority corresponding to synthetic porcine galanin.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 130, 463–467
Effects of exogenous growth hormone on growth and body composition in genetically selected mice
Authors: Bootland L. H. , Hill W. G. , Sinnett-Smith P. A. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The effects of exogenous GH on growth and body composition were investigated in lines of mice selected for high or low body weight (P-lines) or high or low body fat (F-lines). Mice from all lines were given daily injections of recombinant bovine GH or a placebo for 21 days from 4 weeks old. They were killed and various organ weights measured. There was no consistent effect of GH on organ weights. In all lines of mice the rate of weight gain and final weight increased in response to GH. In both lines selected for body fat, GH treatment decreased fat content. The low body weight mice also became less fat, but in the high body weight mice GH treatment increased fat percentage. The results indicate that the differences in growth rate and body composition observed in these lines are not due to differences in responsiveness to GH.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 131, 19–24
Thyroidal inhibition of chicken pituitary growth hormone: alterations in secretion and accumulation of newly synthesized hormone
Authors: Denver R. J. , Harvey S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Hypothyroidism reduces GH synthesis and release in several mammalian species, in which thyroid hormone directly stimulates GH gene transcription. In contrast, hypothyroidism stimulates GH secretion in birds, in which thyroid hormone directly inhibits pituitary GH release. We have, therefore, investigated the effects of thyroid status on the accumulation of newly synthesized GH in the pituitaries of 8- to 10-week-old Leghorn cockerels in vitro and in vivo. The incorporation of [35S]methionine into immunoprecipitable GH ([35S] GH) was increased, over a 4-h incubation period, in glands from birds made hypothyroid by injections of methimazole (50 mg/kg day for 10 days) in comparison with glands from vehicle-injected controls. Treatment with tri-iodothyronine (T3, 100 μg/kg per day for 10 days) in vivo did not significantly alter the accumulation of [35S]GH in vitro but did block the release of [35S]GH in response to a GH secretagogue (thyrotrophin-releasing hormone; exposure to 280 nmol/l for 30 min) and reduced immunoassayable pituitary GH content. Pretreatment of glands from euthyroid birds with T3 (100 nmol/l) in vitro (for 20 h) reduced the basal accumulation of [35S]GH as well as that induced by another GH secretagogue (GH-releasing factor; 100 nmol/l) during a 6-h labelling period. These results show that, unlike the generally stimulatory action of thyroid hormone in mammals, in birds, T3 exerts a direct inhibitory effect on the accumulation of newly synthesized pituitary GH.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 131, 39–48
Modulation of immunoreactive epidermal growth factor levels in the submandibular gland, pancreas, liver, kidney and gastrointestinal tract of suckling rats by cortisone and tri-iodothyronine
Authors: Schaudies R. P. , Grimes J. , Davis D. , Koldovský O. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Suckling rats exhibit age-dependent differences in epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels in several organs. The present studies evaluated the effects of two hormones known for their maturative effect on suckling rats, cortisone and tri-iodothyronine (T3), on immunoreactive EGF levels in specific organs. Suckling rats were administered cortisone (5 mg/100 g body weight per day) or T3 (50 μg/100 g body weight per day) on days 8, 9, 10 and 11 after birth, and killed on day 12. Submandibular glands, kidneys, pancreas, liver and gastrointestinal tract mucosa and lumen were assayed for immunoreactive EGF by a speciesspecific radioimmunoassay. Low levels of EGF in the submandibular glands were increased slightly by both T3 and cortisone treatment. Cortisone evoked a tenfold increase in EGF in the pancreas, but had no effect on levels in the kidney or liver. In contrast, T3 evoked a sixfold increase in the EGF level in the kidney, but had no effect on levels in the pancreas or liver. Hormonal administration had no effect on EGF levels in the stomach. Within the intestinal tract, cortisone had no effect on the luminal EGF content of the duodenum, jejunum or ileum, but caused a decrease in the midjejunum. T3 evoked a decrease in the luminal EGF content of the ileum. The effect of cortisone on mucosal EGF content varied between regions; an increase was seen in the duodenum with a decrease in the midjejunum and ileum. T3 administration resulted in a significant decrease in EGF only in the mucosa of the ileum. The EGF-degradative capacity of the luminal contents of the jejunum and ileum, as studied in vitro, were increased by treatment with both T3 and cortisone. However, no direct correlation was observed between alterations of the EGF content in the lumen or mucosa and the increased degradative capacity. We therefore conclude that modulation of EGF levels within the intestine cannot be explained exclusively by alterations in the degradation rates. The results indicate that both adrenal and thyroid glands may play an important role in the modulation of EGF levels in the developing rat.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 131, 95–100
Purification and characterization of calcium-calmodulin kinase II from human parathyroid glands
Authors: Kato M. , Hagiwara M. , Nimura Y. , Shionoya S. , Hidaka H. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Calmodulin has been identified in parathyroid cells and is thought to play an important role in the production or secretion of parathyroid hormone. However, a detailed investigation of calmodulinbinding proteins in parathyroid glands has not been conducted. In this study, we attempted to determine the presence of calmodulin-binding protein in human parathyroid adenoma by affinity chromatography. The eluted protein from a calmodulin-coupled Sepharose 4B column with EGTA was analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis which revealed a major protein band of Mr 50 000. A Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity was detected at the protein peak using dephosphorylated casein as a substrate. The 50 kDa band was identified as calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-kinase II) by immunoblotting. The substrate specificity, pH dependency and affinity for calmodulin of this enzyme were identical to those of CaM-kinase II from rat brain. Also, the kinase activity was sensitive to KN-62, a specific inhibitor of CaM-kinase II. In total, 0·48 mg of this kinase was purified from 3 g human parathyroid adenoma.
Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 131, 155–162