bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel form of ectopic human chorionic gonadotrophin β-subunit in the serum of a woman with epidermoid cancer
Authors: Nagelberg S. B. , Cole L. A. , Rosen S. W. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
A novel form of free human chorionic gonadotrophin β-subunit (hCGβ) was found in serum from ElBre, a woman with epidermoid carcinoma of unknown origin. ElBre hCGβ was larger than standard (pregnancy urine) hCGβ when analysed by gel chromatography (apparent molecular weight 54 000 vs 44000). This size difference appeared to be due to a larger carboxyterminal extension (CTE) of ElBre hCGβ since thermolysin cleavage of the CTE from standard hCGβ and Elbre hCGβ yielded core products of the same size. Oligosaccharides, O-linked to serine or threonine, were present in ElBre hCGβ, presumably on its CTE as judged by the complete binding of desialylated ElBre hCGβ to immobilized peanut agglutinin (this lectin is specific for terminal galactose linked β1 → 3 to N-acetylgalactosamine, a disaccharide exposed after desialylation of the O-linked oligosaccharides of standard hCGβ). ElBre hCGβ, however, was incompletely recognized by antisera specific for the CTE of standard hCGβ, especially the carbohydrate-sensitive antiserum R141.
The O-linked oligosaccharides of standard hCGβ are heterogeneous in size; 13% are of the largest (hexasaccharide) form. In contrast, over 50% of the O-linked oligosaccharides in hCGβ from the JAr choriocarcinoma cell line are hexasaccharides. Like desialylated ElBre hCGβ, desialylated JAr hCGβ bound completely to peanut agglutinin, but was incompletely recognized by antisera to the hCGβ-CTE. Furthermore, JAr hCGβ was intermediate in size between standard hCGβ and ElBre hCGβ when analysed by gel chromatography (apparent molecular weight 49 000). Thus, we propose that ElBre hCGβ had an even higher proportion of large O-linked oligosaccharides than had JAr hCGβ. Moreover, the N-linked oligosaccharides of ElBre hCGβ differed from standard hCGβ; only 55% of ElBre hCGβ bound to Concanavalin A versus 89% of standard hCGβ. These data further support the concepts of aberrant glycosylation by neoplastic tissues and carbohydrate heterogeneity of hCGβ produced by various tissues.
J. Endocr. (1985) 107, 403–408
Cranial irradiation for cerebral and nasopharyngeal tumours in children: evidence for the production of a hypothalamic defect in growth hormone release
Authors: Blacklay A. , Grossman A. , Ross R. J. M. , Savage M. O. , Davies P. S. W. , Plowman P. N. , Coy D. H. , Besser G. M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
A synthetic 29-amino acid analogue of human pancreatic GH-releasing hormone (GHRH(1–29)NH2) has recently been shown to stimulate the release of GH in normal subjects. We have studied the GH response to GHRH(1–29)NH2 in nine children irradiated for brain and nasopharyngeal tumours, who were not growing and were deficient in GH as assessed by insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. Serum GH rose in response to GHRH(1–29)NH2 in all the children, and in five the peak serum GH response was > 20 mu./l. The data suggest that when hypothalamo-pituitary irradiation results in GH deficiency, this is due to a failure of the synthesis or delivery of endogenous GH RH from the hypothalamus to the pituitary cells. It also suggests that it may be possible to treat such children using synthetic GHRH in place of exogenous GH.
J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 25–29
Effect of ketoconazole on adrenocorticotrophic hormone secretion in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Burrin J. M. , Yeo T. H. , Ashby M. J. , Bloom S. R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The direct effects of ketoconazole on ACTH secretion have been investigated using a rat pituitary cell culture system. Ketoconazole had no significant effects on basal ACTH secretion, corticotrophin-releasing factor- or arginine vasopressin-stimulated ACTH secretion, nor did it affect dexamethasone inhibition of ACTH secretion. In-vivo studies demonstrated an increased ACTH level (168 vs 76 ng/l) accompanied by a fall in plasma corticosterone (193 vs 307 μg/l) in normal rats given ketoconazole (24 mg/kg, five oral doses given 8 hourly). No effects were seen in adrenalectomized rats or at lower doses (6 mg/kg) in normal or adrenalectomized rats. A high dose of ketoconazole (24 mg/kg, twice daily oral doses) also caused increased ACTH levels in normal rats (129 vs 86 ng/l) when given for 7 days. No effects were seen in adrenalectomized rats or on plasma corticosterone levels in normal rats. Our data suggest that ketoconazole at these doses has no direct effects on pituitary ACTH secretion but causes an increase in plasma ACTH due to its inhibition of adrenal steroid synthesis.
J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 37–41
Oestrous cycle-related LH responsiveness to naloxone: effect of high oestrogen levels on the activity of opioid receptors
Authors: Petraglia F. , Locatelli V. , Facchinetti F. , Bergamaschi M. , Genazzani A. R. , Cocchi D. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Endogenous opioid peptides have a tonic inhibitory control on LH secretion, participating in the functional changes of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. To evaluate the activity of the endogenous opioid systems during the oestrous cycle, we measured plasma LH levels after naloxone administration (5 mg/kg, s.c.) at 09.00 and 16.00 h on all days of the cycle (two further measurements were taken at 14.00 and 18.00 h on the day of pro-oestrus) and after one dose or one week's treatment with oestradiol benzoate (OB; 0·2 μg/rat). Concentrations of LH were measured in the same experimental models after injection of LH-releasing hormone (LHRH; 1 μg/kg, i.p.) or saline. Naloxone induced a significant rise in LH levels on the day of oestrus, dioestrus day-1 and dioestrus day-2; this response was blunted on the morning of pro-oestrus and absent in the afternoon and after acute and chronic OB treatment. Conversely LHRH was most effective in increasing LH levels on the day of pro-oestrus and in OB-treated rats.
These results indicate that opioid mechanisms, independently of the time of day and the pituitary responsiveness, exhibit a reduced activity when preovulatory changes occur, probably as a result of increased oestrogen levels.
J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 89–94
Modulation of thyrotrophin release from an intracellular pool by pre-exposure to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP
Authors: Davis J. R. E. , Sheppard M. C. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Amplification of desensitization of TSH response to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) may be important mechanisms in the regulation of its secretion. We have investigated this possibility in vitro, using monolayer culture of rat anterior pituitary cells. Cells (1–1·5 × 105/250 μl per well) were cultured for 72 h, exposed to TRH or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) for 6 or 8 h, washed, and then treated for 4 h with various doses of TRH, or with K+ (55 mmol/l) as a non-specific secretagogue. Pretreatment with TRH (20 nmol/l) for 8 h reduced subsequent TSH release: basal release fell to 64% of the control value (1·01±0·10 μg/l pretreated, 1·58 ± 0·16 control) and release in response to TRH (100 nmol/l) to 69% of the control (2·7 ± 0·19 μg/l vs 3·98 ± 0·22); K+ response was reduced to 86% of the control (3·77 ± 0·21 μg/l vs 4·39 ± 0·20), significantly less than the other reductions. The extent of the parallel downward shift of the TRH dose–response curve was proportional to dose and duration of prior TRH exposure. There was no significant change in the dose of TRH required to cause half-maximal TSH release (ED50: pretreated 4·8, control 2·8 nmol TRH/l) suggesting depletion of an intracellular pool of TSH rather than 'desensitization'. After 6-h pretreatment with dbcAMP, subsequent TSH responses were augmented: basal release was 130% of the control, response to TRH (100 nmol/l) was 137% and to K+ it was 132% of the control, with a parallel upward shift of the TRH dose–response curve but no change in cellular TSH content. We suggest that an intracellular pool of TSH exists which can be depleted by prior TRH exposure without a desensitization effect. The size of this pool may be increased by dbcAMP, indicating that cyclic nucleotides may modulate the availability of TSH to an acutely releasable intracellular pool.
J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 211–217
Effect of anterior hypothalamic deafferentation and continuous growth hormone infusion on the hepatic synthesis of α2u-globulin in the male rat
Authors: Chatterjee B. , Demyan W. F. , Gustafsson J.-Å. , Harris M. W. , Hökfelt T. , Norstedt G. , Roy A. K. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Anterior hypothalamic deafferentation and infusion of human GH (hGH) in the normal male rat caused a marked reduction in the hepatic concentration of α2u-globulin, an androgen-dependent protein. Although s.c. injections of hGH (twice-daily) resulted in more than a 50% reduction in the hepatic level of α2u-globulin, the same dose of hGH when administered continuously through osmotic minipumps caused a threefold greater inhibition. The decreased hepatic concentration of α2u-globulin after hGH administration was associated with corresponding changes in the hepatic level of translatable α2u-globulin messenger RNA. Continuous infusion of hGH through osmotic minipumps and removal of the anterior hypothalamic influence on GH secretion by deafferentation also caused a marked reduction in the cytoplasmic androgen-binding activity of the rat liver. These results suggest that alterations in the level and pattern of GH secretion may influence hepatic androgen-binding activity and α2u-globulin synthesis.
J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 351–355
The mechanism of the prolonged stimulatory effect of corticotrophin on pregnenolone production by guinea-pig adrenocortical mitochondria
Authors: Lambert F. , Lammerant J. , Kolanowski J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The postulated prolonged stimulatory influence of ACTH on the adrenocortical mitochondrial synthesis of pregnenolone in response to ACTH was studied in adrenal mitochondria isolated from control guinea-pigs and from animals treated s.c. with 100 μg ACTH(1–24) twice daily on the day before the animals were killed. The animals from both groups were injected with 100 μg ACTH s.c. 30 min before killing. The mitochondrial production of pregnenolone (expressed in nmol per mg mitochondrial protein after 10-min incubation) increased from 1·52 ± 0·46 (s.e.m.) in the control group to 4·50 ± 0·59 for mitochondria from ACTH-treated animals, despite a similar free cholesterol content in the mitochondria, even when determined after a previous in-vivo treatment with aminoglutethimide to block further metabolism of cholesterol into pregnenolone. In addition, in the presence of an excess of exogenous cholesterol (100 μmol/l), the production of pregnenolone remained higher for mitochondria from ACTH-treated animals. In contrast, when the calcium concentration in the incubation medium was raised to 1 mmol/l, with subsequent enhancement in pregnenolone synthesis, the mitochondrial pregnenolone production became similar for both groups (8·28 ± 1·11 nmol in the ACTH-treated group and 9·55 ± 1·90 nmol in the control group), even in the presence of 100 μmol cholesterol/l (13·5 ±1·80 nmol in ACTH-treated animals and 14·8 ± 1·93 nmol in controls). Cycloheximide treatment administered on the day before the animals were killed was without any effect on pregnenolone production in control animals (3·51 ± 0·43 nmol before and 3·65 ± 0·63 nmol after cycloheximide treatment). In contrast, the pregnenolone production by mitochondria from ACTH-treated guinea-pigs injected with cycloheximide was reduced to a level similar to that observed in the control group (5·82± 0·23 nmol in the absence and 3·09± 0·32nmol in the presence of cycloheximide treatment).
The results of the present study suggest that the prolonged stimulatory effect of ACTH on pregnenolone production involves an increase in the synthesis of a protein factor which promotes the availability of cholesterol to the side-chain cleavage system. Other mechanisms such as a stimulated synthesis of the side-chain cleavage complex itself or an increased total mitochondrial cholesterol content are not supported by our data.
J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 377–384
Regulation of stages VI and VIII of the rat seminiferous epithelial cycle in vitro
Authors: Toppari J. , Vihko K. K. , Räsänen K. G. E. , Eerola E. , Parvinen M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Plasminogen activator (PA) is secreted cyclically (in stages VII and VIII) by rat seminiferous tubules. To investigate whether this can be maintained and influenced in vitro, tubule segments from stages VI and VIII of the epithelial cycle were cultured for 3 days in chemically defined medium supplemented with testosterone, FSH, or a combination of testosterone, FSH, insulin and retinoic acid (4F).
Morphological and flow cytometric analyses of stage VI tubules suggested a roughly normal differentiation to stage VIII. They developed an increased PA secretion on day 3 of culture. Stage VIII tubules, however, did not develop all the characteristics of stage XII. Step 8 spermatids did not elongate and step 19 spermatids failed to develop into spermatozoa. Secretion of PA on day 3 was not significantly different to that on day 1. The 4F combination very significantly stimulated PA secretion in both stages, but FSH alone was effective only in stage VIII. Most of the secreted PA had a molecular weight of 43 000 in both stages, suggesting that it is of urokinase type.
The results suggest that stage VI is more able to differentiate in vitro for 3 days than stage VIII; the cyclic secretion pattern of PA was partially maintained in tubule segments from stage VI. Follicle-stimulating hormone had an effect on PA secretion only in stage VIII, whereas the 4F combination was stimulatory in both stages. The retinoic acid in this combination may be of importance in the regulation of PA secretion by seminiferous tubules.
J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 417–422
CORTICOSTEROIDS SUPPRESS PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATION IN THE BOVINE SERTOLI CELL
Authors: Jenkins N. , Ellison J.D. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Bovine FSH stimulated a six fold increase in secretion of plasminogen activator by immature bovine Sertoli cells with half-maximum response (ED50) at 145ng/ml. Treatment with FSH and either dexamethasone, cortisol or corticosterone produced a dose-dependent suppression of PA activity, with ED50 values of 35, 320 and >650nmol/l respectively. Effects of dexamethasone required over 6 h incubation to become significant (P < 0.001), and were blocked by inhibitors of RNA synthesis and translation. These data demonstrate direct effects of corticosteroids on Sertoli cells, resulting in the synthesis of antiprotease factors which antagonize the actions of FSH.
Involvement of protein kinase C in mouse mammary gland development
Authors: Caulfield J. J. , Bolander F. F. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The relationship between kinase C activity and mammary gland differentiation was investigated by following kinase activity throughout the mouse reproductive cycle and by pharmacologically perturbing the kinase, while monitoring biochemical differentiation. Protein kinase C activity declined during pregnancy and remained low throughout lactation, suggesting an inverse relationship with milk protein expression. This negative association was further supported by the use of quercetin (50–100 μmol/l) and gossypol (50 μmol/l), which are both protein kinase C inhibitors. These compounds doubled α-lactalbumin levels in mammary explants cultured with hormones. However, a phorbol ester, known to activate protein kinase C, had no effect on α-lactalbumin production, although it did stimulate this milk protein 2·5-fold in the presence of the calcium ionophore, A23187. In the absence of raised calcium levels, protein kinase C activity therefore appeared to be inversely correlated with biochemical differentiation; but, in the presence of increased calcium concentrations, both calcium and the kinase acted synergistically to augment hormone-induced α-lactalbumin expression.
J. Endocr. (1986) 109, 29–34
Changes in the granule population of gonadotrophs of hypogonadal (hpg) and normal female mice associated with the priming effect of LH-releasing hormone in vitro
Authors: Lewis C. E. , Morris J. F. , Fink G. , Johnson M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Changes in the size and position of secretory granules in pituitary gonadotrophs have been studied in relationship to LH release and self-priming induced by LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) in pituitary glands from normal and hypogonadal (hpg) female mice. Hemipituitary glands were preincubated and then incubated for either 1 or 2 h in the absence or presence of LHRH (8·5 nmol/l). The glands were either processed for ultrastructural morphometry or homogenized for the determination of pituitary LH content. Morphometry was carried out on gonadotrophs identified by immunocytochemistry for LHβ using the thin/semi-thin section method. Pituitary LH content and the amount of LH released were determined by radioimmunoassay.
The amount of LH released in response to the first and second hours of incubation with LHRH were similar in hpg and normal mice with a clear priming effect (three- to fourfold increase in pituitary responsiveness to LHRH) occurring in both strains. Despite a substantially reduced total number of granules (and amount of LH) in unstimulated hpg gonadotrophs, the number of granules in the outer 500 nm marginal zone of the cells was similar to that in normal mice. This could explain the similar amount of LH released from normal and hpg glands by the first LHRH challenge. The initial exposure to LHRH was also associated with a marked translocation of secretory granules from the central to the outer marginal region of cytoplasm subjacent to the gonadotroph plasmalemma, such that in 'primed' glands 60% of granules were found in this marginal zone compared with 40% (hpg) or 33% (normal) in unstimulated glands. The mean diameter of granules in the marginal zone was significantly less than that of granules in the central zone of the gonadotrophs of unstimulated glands from both normal and hpg animals. Exposure to LHRH for 1 h was associated with an increase in the number of small granules in the marginal zone and a significant decrease in the mean diameter of the gonadotroph granule population as a whole.
After the primed release of LH, increased proportions of granules were still located in the marginal zone of gonadotrophs, indicating that granule migration continued during the second hour of exposure to LHRH in which primed release occurred. The primed release was associated with a detectable reduction in both the LH and granule content of gonadotrophs in normal, but not hpg glands. The ultrastructural correlates of LH release and LHRH priming were similar in the two strains of mice, and therefore in mice neither the releasing nor the priming effect of LHRH depends upon previous exposure of the pituitary gland to LHRH or ovarian factors. The priming effect was associated with a marked shift of granules towards the plasmalemma and a decrease in granule size which most likely resulted from increased post-translational processing within secretory granules.
J. Endocr. (1986) 109, 35–44
Growth hormone responses to growth hormone-releasing factor (1–29) in euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats
Authors: Dieguez C. , Jordan V. , Harris P. , Foord S. , Rodriguez-Arnao M. D. , Gomez-Pan A. , Hall R. , Scanlon M. F. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
In order to investigate whether the impaired GH secretion associated with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism is due to a hypothalamic or a pituitary disorder, we have studied plasma GH responses to GH-releasing factor (1–29) (GRF) in euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid rats. Hypothyroid rats showed a significant (P< 0·001) reduction in GH responses to GRF (5 μg/kg) at 5 min (350 ± 35 vs 1950 ±260 μg/l), 10 min (366±66 vs 2320 ± 270 μg/l) and 15 min after GRF injection (395 ± 72 vs 1420 ± 183 μg/l; means ± s.e.m.) compared with euthyroid rats. Hyperthyroid rats showed a significant (P<0·05) decrease in GH responses to 5 μg GRF/kg after 30 min (200±14 vs 325 ± 35 μg/l) but not at other time-points, or after the administration of 1 μg GRF/kg. These data indicate that in hypothyroidism and perhaps hyperthyroidism there is an alteration in the responsiveness of the somatotroph to GRF administration.
J. Endocr (1986) 109, 53–56
Effects of porcine relaxin on the length of gestation and duration of parturition in the rat
Authors: Jones S. A. , Summerlee A. J. S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of porcine relaxin on the course of gestation and delivery in the rat. Plasma relaxin was maintained at approximately 600 nmol/l from day 19 to day 23 of gestation by i.v. infusion from chronically implanted minipumps. Relaxin significantly (P<0·001) prolonged the length of gestation in 17 rats compared with controls, without causing dystocia or affecting the number of live births. Six rats gave birth during relaxin infusion. In these animals there was a significant (P<0·001) increase in the interval between successive deliveries compared with control animals, resulting in prolonged labour. The remaining 11 rats gave birth after the infusion was completed, when the interval between successive deliveries was significantly (P< 0·025) shorter than controls. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that relaxin has a central action suppressing the release of oxytocin as well as a peripheral action on the myometrium and cervix.
J. Endocr. (1986) 109, 85–88
Raised levels of calcium-binding protein in plasma following insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in the pig
Authors: Maunder E. M. W. , Pillay A. V. , Chapman C. , Care A. D. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in the pig elicited sharp increases in the plasma concentrations of vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein (CaBP) and cortisol and a decrease in plasma inorganic phosphate. Glucose infusion following insulin administration abolished the increases in plasma CaBP and cortisol in response to insulin and reduced the hypophosphataemia. The percentage increases in plasma CaBP and cortisol in response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were reduced when the pigs were fed a low-calcium diet, but the hypophosphataemic response was similar.
We conclude that insulin-induced hypoglycaemia leads to increased plasma CaBP in pigs fed a normal calcium diet, which is associated with the hypoglycaemia rather than being a direct effect of insulin. We therefore suggest that plasma CaBP may represent more than a mere uncontrolled leak from its sites of storage.
J. Endocr. (1986) 109, 101–106