bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE ISOLATION AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THREE NEUROPHYSINS OF THE SHEEP
Authors: WATKINS W. B. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Three neurophysins have been isolated from acetone-dried sheep posterior lobe powder and have been named neurophysins I, II and III. Neurophysins I, II and III account for approximately 15, 15 and 70%, respectively of the total neurohypophysial hormone-binding proteins present in the sheep posterior pituitary lobe. All the neurophysins bind oxytocin and [8-arginine]-vasopressin. Neurophysins I and II each were found to contain one molecule of histidine/molecule of protein but to lack methionine, whereas neurophysin III contained no histidine but had one molecule of methionine/molecule of protein. The molecular weights of sheep neurophysins I, II and III were 11348, 9803 and 10377, respectively, as determined by amino acid analysis. An approximate value of 10000 was estimated for the apparent molecular weight of the neurophysins by gel exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-75. Solid amorphous complexes were formed between the neurophysins and oxytocin as well as with [8-arginine]-vasopressin. In each case one molecule of neurophysin complexed with one molecule of hormone. The stoichiometry of the sheep neurophysins relative to the neurohypophysial hormones is discussed.
THE DESIGNATION OF THE MAJOR GUINEA-PIG NEURAL LOBE PROTEIN AS A NEUROPHYSIN
Authors: WATKINS W. B. , ELLIS H. K. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
[35S]Cysteine was injected intracisternally into guinea-pigs and 5 h later the soluble proteins of the neural lobe were subjected to electrophoresis on starch and polyacrylamide. In both systems approximately 80% of the total radioactivity was recovered in a single peak with an electrophoretic mobility corresponding to the position of the major protein component. The proteins present in the guinea-pig neural lobe were extracted in 0·1 m-HCl. Fractionation of the protein—neurohypophysial hormone complex on Sephadex G-75 resulted in the isolation of a protein which cross-reacted immunologically with an antiserum raised against porcine neurophysin II. The protein designated a neurophysin contained one molecule of lysine, isoleucine and tyrosine per molecule of protein. It contained no histidine or methionine and its minimum molecular weight was estimated as 8436 by amino acid analysis.
EFFECT OF CORTISOL TREATMENT ON FREE AMINO ACID LEVELS IN RATS
Authors: DE LOECKER W. , STAS M. L. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Changes in the concentrations of free amino acids in intracellular fluids and blood plasma were measured in rats treated with cortisol. Increasing age raised the concentrations of free amino acids in plasma, while in liver, with the exception of glycine and alanine, decreased concentrations were observed. Cortisol treatment reduced free amino acid levels in plasma and liver which suggested a progressive catabolism of body proteins and increased protein synthesis in the liver. In skeletal muscle of control rats the free amino acid concentrations increased during the experimental period. Cortisol increased the concentration of certain amino acids and decreased that of others due to an increased protein turnover in muscle.
THE EFFECTS OF AGE AND OESTRONE TREATMENT ON DNA POLYMERASE ACTIVITY IN ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLANDS OF MALE RATS
Authors: MASTRO ANDREA , HYMER W. C. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
DNA polymerase activity was found in the cytoplasmic fraction and in isolated nuclei from anterior pituitary glands of male rats. The enzyme activity was assayed by measuring the incorporation of [3H]dTTP into DNA in a medium containing Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8·5), the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, Mg2 +, ATP and activated calf thymus DNA. The DNA polymerase activity decreased with age in glands from animals aged 25 days to over a year but increased after oestrone treatment in vivo. These changes in activity, more pronounced in the cytoplasmic fraction than in the isolated nuclei, were similar to changes in DNA synthesis measured in anterior pituitary glands under the same physiological conditions.
Isolated nuclei also retained endogenous DNA synthetic activity in the absence of added template. Addition of a cytoplasmic fraction to the reaction medium stimulated activity by as much as 1·9-fold but the degree of stimulation was the same whether the cytoplasm was from young, old or oestrone-treated animals.
THE INFLUENCE OF PHOTOPERIOD ON NEST BUILDING, OVARIAN DEVELOPMENT AND LUTEINIZING HORMONE SECRETION IN CANARIES (SERINUS CANARIUS)
Authors: FOLLETT B. K. , HINDE R. A. , STEEL ELIZABETH , NICHOLLS T. J. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Female canaries were exposed to various lighting schedules in January—February to assess the photoperiod necessary for reproductive development. Nest building was not increased with lighting schedules of 8 h light: 16 h darkness per day (8L: 16D) and 10L: 14D but was increased after 4 weeks of 12L: 12D or 14L: 10D. Placing of nest material was greatest with a lighting schedule of 14L: 10D. Plasma and pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were low when 8L: 16D was used and the ovaries and oviducts remained undeveloped. There was a significant rise in the weights of the ovaries and oviducts with 10L: 14D per day. This change was not reflected in the plasma LH level but the amount of LH in the pituitary was increased. Exposure to 12L: 12D or 14L: 10D caused substantial development of ovaries and oviduct growth, and significantly increased levels of plasma and pituitary LH. These two groups were indistinguishable in all these parameters.
Oestrogen treatment of a group exposed to 8L: 16D decreased plasma and pituitary LH in four out of six birds. Behaviourally, some of these birds showed an increase in gathering and placing of nest material. In an oestrogen-treated group exposed to 14L: 10D no effect was seen on plasma LH concentration, but the group showed significantly more gathering and placing behaviour than untreated birds. Oviduct weight was increased in both oestrogen-treated groups.
CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION AND YIELD OF THE MAMMARY SECRETION OF COWS DURING THE INITIATION OF LACTATION
Authors: HARTMANN P. E. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Mammary secretion (1·2–2·0 ml) was collected from the milk sinus of each mammary gland (quarter) of two pregnant heifers and eight pregnant cows (dry period 49–229 days), first at weekly intervals from 40 days before parturition, then with increasing frequency as parturition approached. The progressive changes in the concentration of lactose, glucose, casein, non-casein protein and fat in the mammary secretion were determined. Calves were separated from the cows immediately after birth and the yield and composition of milk from individual quarters were determined for 5 days after parturition. Two quarters (milked quarters) of each of a further five cows were milked throughout pregnancy, while the other two quarters (unmilked quarters) of each cow were allowed to involute (dry off) 63– 104 days before parturition. Small samples (5–10 ml) of secretion were collected from the unmilked quarters, first at weekly intervals after drying off and then every second day from 10 to 15 days before parturition. On the days that the unmilked quarters were sampled, corresponding composite milk samples were collected from the milked quarters and the progressive changes in the yield of milk, lactose and fat were determined. The changes in the concentration of lactose and glucose in the mammary secretion, during drying off in late lactation, were determined in an additional five cows.
In most cows allowed a usual dry period, and in the unmilked quarters of cows in which two quarters were milked throughout pregnancy, the concentration of lactose gradually increased from about 8 to 12 days before parturition to reach levels of about half those found in normal milk just before parturition. However, in some cows the concentration of lactose was low until 1–2 days before parturition and then increased abruptly, whereas in others the concentration of lactose increased slowly from as early as 32 days before parturition. A further rapid increase in the concentration of lactose in the mammary secretion occurred between 0 and 4 days before parturition in all cows. This latter increase was accompanied by an abrupt increase in the yield of milk, lactose and fat in the milked quarters of the cows in which two quarters were milked throughout pregnancy. These observations suggest that the initiation of lactation in the cow develops in two phases, a limited secretion of milk constituents occurs in late pregnancy and then 0–4 days before parturition copious secretion (lactogenesis) occurs.
STIMULATION OF GROWTH HORMONE RELEASE FROM SUPERFUSED RAT PITUITARY BY EXTRACTS OF HYPOTHALAMUS AND OF HUMAN LUNG TUMOURS
Authors: BECK CHRISTINE , LARKINS R. G. , MARTIN T. J. , BURGER H. G. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The paradoxical plasma growth hormone (GH) responses to oral glucose in certain patients with lung cancer prompted an examination of tumour extracts for GH releasing activity. Exposure of superfused rat pituitary to pulses (30 s) of aminophylline and to extracts from rat, sheep and human hypothalami resulted in a rapid and short-lived release of immunoreactive rat GH into the medium. Fresh extracts from five lung tumours, and from the surrounding lung tissue of four of these tumours significantly stimulated the release of GH, while extracts of a metastatic chondrosarcoma and normal rat lung were inactive. Gel filtration experiments suggested that the releasing activity in rat, sheep and human hypothalamic tissue and in human lung tumour extracts was present in at least two molecular species of different sizes.
THE METABOLISM OF TESTOSTERONE BY HUMAN SKIN IN DISORDERS OF HAIR GROWTH
Authors: JENKINS J. S. , ASH S. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The metabolism of testosterone by skin from patients with disorders of hair growth in the presence of normal testosterone levels has been studied in vitro and compared with the metabolic activity of normal skin. The main metabolites formed were dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione, androsterone and androstanedione. In four out of six females with hirsutism, the skin produced increased amounts of dihydrotestosterone and also androstenedione. A patient with the rare condition of unilateral hirsutism showed no difference in metabolic activity between the hirsute and non-hirsute sides. In localized failure of androgenically determined hair growth, seen in three beardless males, the metabolism of the hairless area was greater than that of the normally hairy abdomen. Four patients with testicular feminization and complete absence of body hair were studied and the formation of dihydrotestosterone ranged from low to high normal levels.
INTERSTRAIN DIFFERENCES IN NUMBER, SIZE AND MORPHOLOGY OF VESICULAR GLAND CELL NUCLEOLI IN INTACT, CASTRATED AND TESTOSTERONE-TREATED MICE
Authors: IVÁNYI DAGMAR 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The nucleoli of vesicular gland cells from intact, castrated and testosterone-treated mice of strains A and C57Bl/10 were studied in smears specifically stained for the demonstration of RNA-containing structures using the light microscope. The size, number and morphology of vesicular gland cell nucleoli were found to be influenced by testosterone. After castration the size of the nucleoli and the percentage of nucleoli actively engaged in RNA synthesis decreased and the nucleolar coefficient (NC) increased. After testosterone treatment of intact as well as castrated animals the size of the nucleoli and the percentage of active nucleoli increased and the NC diminished. Interstrain differences were calculated for all values obtained. In C57Bl/10 animals the NC was always higher and the size of nucleoli, as well as the percentage of active nucleoli, were always lower than in strain A mice.
PROGESTERONE CONCENTRATIONS IN THE PERIPHERAL PLASMA OF THE BLUE FOX (ALOPEX LAGOPUS) DURING PREGNANCY AND THE OESTROUS CYCLE
Authors: MØLLER O. M. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
A competitive protein-binding assay was evaluated and employed in the measurement of progesterone in serial plasma samples obtained from pregnant, non-pregnant and non-receptive blue-fox vixens.
At the beginning of the period of pro-oestrous vulval swelling, the plasma progesterone concentration was always found to be below 2 ng/ml. Towards the end of pro-oestrus and during the period of oestrus (sexual receptivity) the concentration increased rather quickly. On the 3rd and the 4th days of oestrus, i.e. when most of the vixens were mated, the plasma progesterone concentrations were about 30 ng/ml (range: 18–36 ng/ml). During gestation (53 or 54 days) the plasma progesterone level rose very steeply and attained a maximum plateau (> 80 ng/ml) between days 5 and 8 post coitum, remained high until about day 20, but thereafter fell rather quickly to below 30 ng/ml between days 35 and 40. Later on the progesterone level fell gradually to below 5 ng/ml at the day of parturition, and, 4 days post partum and later, the levels were below the limit of the sensitivity of the assay used (< 2 ng/ml).
The progesterone values and profiles obtained from the non-pregnant vixens (mated vixens which failed to whelp) corresponded clearly to those obtained in the pregnant vixens. Indeed, even in two non-receptive vixens (unwilling to mate during the mating season) typical progesterone profiles were obtained during a period of about 70 days.
THE ROLE OF ELECTROLYTES OF THE ENDOMETRIUM AND UTERINE FLUID DURING DELAYED IMPLANTATION IN RATS
Authors: SETTY B. S. , SINGH MAN MOHAN , CHOWDHURY S. R. , KAR AMIYA B. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Sodium and potassium levels were determined in the rat endometrium and uterine washings during normal and 'delayed' implantation. Both endometrium and uterine washings of normal rats differed from those of 'delayed' animals in their electrolyte concentrations. A dose of oestradiol dipropionate (1 μg/rat) capable of inducing implantation in 'delayed' rats (ovariectomized and maintained on progesterone) did not evoke any significant changes in electrolyte concentration of either the endometrium or uterine washings. These findings are discussed in the light of a hypothesis regarding delayed implantation in rats.
ENDOGENOUS STEROID SULPHATES AND GLUCURONIDES IN THE GALLBLADDER BILE FROM EARLY AND MID-TERM HUMAN FOETUSES
Authors: HUHTANIEMI I. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
The neutral steroids derived from their conjugates present in a pool of bile from 20 human foetuses were analysed by gas—liquid chromatography and gas chromatography—	mass spectrometry. Ten monosulphates, twelve disulphates and seven glucuronides were detected, but no free steroids were found. Both saturated and unsaturated steroids of the C19- and C21-series were detected. The glucuronides of 5β-pregnane-3α,20α-diol, 5α-pregnane-3β,16α,20α-triol and 3α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one as well as the monosulphate of 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone were present in the highest concentrations. Other major components were the monosulphates of dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone and 16α-hydroxypregnenolone and the disulphates of 5-androstene-3β,17α-diol, 3β, 17β-dihydroxy-5-androsten-16-one and 5β-prenane-3ξ,20α,21-triol. The total concentration of the monosulphate conjugates was 435 μg/100 g sample (wet weight), of the disulphates 363 μg/100 g and of the glucuronides 815 μg/100 g.
Many of the compounds detected have previously been found in the foetal liver and intestinal contents. It is therefore concluded that during early and mid-gestation the foetal liver is already excreting many steroid conjugates through the biliary tract into the intestinal canal. As in other foetal compartments, considerable amounts of steroid sulphates were detected. However, the presence of steroid glucuronides in the bile suggests that the formation of hepatic glucuronides already occurs during the foetal period.
ABNORMAL INSULIN SECRETION IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE BEFORE AND DURING l-DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE (l-DOPA) THERAPY
Authors: VAN WOERT M. H. , MUELLER P. S. , AMBANI L. M. , RATHEY U. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Insulin and glucose metabolism were studied in parkinsonian patients before and during treatment with l-DOPA and in a chronically ill, elderly, control group of patients. The parkinsonian patients had a low absolute glucose disappearance rate and a low serum insulin response to intravenous glucose compared with controls, which was not altered by l-DOPA therapy. The serum glucose and insulin responses to the oral glucose tolerance tests in parkinsonian patients were similar to those of the control group. Normal immediate insulin responses were observed after infusions of tolbutamide and glucagon.
l-DOPA decreased serum insulin and glucose levels during the first 90 min of the oral glucose tolerance test and produced an increase in concentration of human growth hormone in serum of some parkinsonian patients. l-DOPA therapy had no effect on intravenous tolbutamide and glucagon tolerance tests. Our results indicate a selective defect in the mechanism of intravenous glucose-induced insulin release in patients with Parkinson's disease.
UNIT ACTIVITY IN THE PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS OF FEMALE RATS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE AND AFTER OVARIECTOMY, WITH OR WITHOUT OESTROGEN OR PROGESTERONE TREATMENT
Authors: NEGORO H. , VISESSUWAN S. , HOLLAND R. C. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Spontaneous firing rates were determined from extracellular recordings made from 878 antidromically identified units in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) during the reproductive cycle of the female rat and in analytical experiments. In the latter, rats were ovariectomized and subsequently received either no treatment or oestrogen and/or progesterone. Among rats at metoestrus, dioestrus, mid-pregnancy and in ovariectomized progesterone-treated groups there was no significant difference in the firing rates. However, they were significantly lower than the rates recorded during pro-oestrus, oestrus, full-term pregnancy, the day of parturition, during lactation and in ovariectomized, oestrogen-treated rats. In spayed rats the mean firing rate was significantly lower than at pro-oestrus, oestrus, fullterm pregnancy, the 24 h period after parturition, during lactation and after oestrogen treatment. When progesterone was given subcutaneously to oestrogenized rats, the PVN activity, increased by oestrogen, was significantly depressed 4 h after administration. By 8 h the firing rate had completely recovered.
The frequency distribution of the firing rates in pro-oestrus and oestrus showed an approximately normal distribution while those in metoestrus and dioestrus and mid-pregnancy had a Poisson distribution. At full term there were two peaks: one in the range of 3–5 spikes/s and the other less than one spike/s. The distribution was approximately normal on the day of parturition and subsequently the pattern became irregular. In ovariectomized rats and those treated with progesterone it was of a Poisson type while there was a distinct shift to higher frequencies after oestrogen treatment.
The mean absolute refractory period, measured for each unit, varied and appears to be dependent on hormonal conditions. It was short in oestrus and long in dioestrus and mid-pregnancy. Oestrogen treatment significantly shortened the absolute refractory period of ovariectomized rats.
REFLEX ACTIVATION OF PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS UNITS DURING THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE AND IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS TREATED WITH OESTROGEN OR PROGESTERONE
Authors: NEGORO H. , VISESSUWAN S. , HOLLAND R. C. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
Three hundred and seventy-seven neurones in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were antidromically identified in female rats during various stages of the reproductive cycle and in ovariectomized rats with or without oestrogen or progesterone pretreatment. The units were tested for their responses to vaginal distension and pinching of the foot. Unit responses to vaginal distension varied during the oestrous cycle, pregnancy and lactation. The percentages of PVN units recorded at each stage which increased their firing rate in response to vaginal distension were 64·1% in pro-oestrus, 56·7% in oestrus, 33·3% in metoestrus, 42·4% in dioestrus, 6·9% in mid-pregnancy (day 12) which was significantly lower than in any other stage or condition, 72·0% at full term, 55·5% immediately (<24 h) after parturition and 40·0% during lactation. Furthermore, when tested in mid-pregnancy, there was a period of interruption of spontaneous firing in 13·8% of PVN units during vaginal distension.
The percentage of units which increased their firing rate during vaginal distension in ovariectomized rats was 42·4% and in ovariectomized, oestrogen-treated rats was 69·2% and thus significantly higher. While the percentage in progesterone-treated rats (35·1%) was not significantly different from that in ovariectomized rats, it was significantly lower than in the oestrogen-treated group. In addition, 18·9% of the units had a period of interruption of spontaneous firing in response to vaginal distension constituting the only group besides the mid-pregnancy group in which this was observed.
Pinching the foot also excited PVN unit activity in some cases. It was more frequently evoked by pinching a foot contralateral to the PVN nucleus from which the recording was taken. The response to stimulation of the ipsilateral foot was weaker or absent. The responsiveness of PVN units to pinching varied throughout the reproductive cycle as well as in ovariectomized rats with or without treatment with oestrogen or progesterone. The pattern of variation was dissimilar from that observed after vaginal distension and the magnitude of variation was smaller. Interruption of spontaneous firing was observed in seven different groups.
ESTIMATION OF OESTRONE SULPHATE, OESTRADIOL-17β AND OESTRONE IN PERIPHERAL PLASMA: CONCENTRATIONS DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND IN MEN
Authors: HAWKINS R. A. , OAKEY R. E. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY
A method for the determination of oestrone sulphate, oestradiol-17β and oestrone in human peripheral plasma is described, and the accuracy, specificity, precision and sensitivity of each analysis is defined.
Free oestrogens were extracted from plasma with ether. Oestradiol-17β was isolated by chromatography on silica gel. Oestrone, similarly purified, was reduced to oestradiol-17β and rechromatographed. Oestrone sulphate in the residual plasma was solvolysed and the oestrone liberated was isolated and reduced to oestradiol-17β. All three fractions were estimated separately by competitive protein binding with rabbit uterine cytosol. Manipulative losses were assessed from recovery of [3H]oestradiol-17β and [3H]oestrone added to the plasma and of [3H]oestrone sulphate added to the ether extracted plasma.
The concentration of oestrone sulphate in peripheral plasma of six men greatly exceeded that of oestradiol-17β or oestrone. The mean concentrations were respectively, 72, 2·3 and 3·6 ng/100 ml. Analysis of samples collected daily during a menstrual cycle from each of two women also showed that the concentration of oestrone sulphate was much greater than that of oestradiol-17β or oestrone. Changes in the concentrations of all three oestrogens occurred at similar times in the cycle. At mid-cycle, the mean concentrations were: oestrone sulphate, 308 ng/100 ml; oestradiol-17β, 57 ng/100 ml; oestrone, 15 ng/100 ml.