Basal and Dynamic Pituitary Secretion in Hepatic Encephalopathy

ABSTRACT The effect of reserpine on the secretion of FSH and LH was studied as well as the role of the peripheral effect of reserpine after hypophysectomy. The results in the unoperated animals suggest that reserpine inhibits the pituitary secretion of both FSH and LH. Both these hormones combined with reserpine had a very different biological effect than was seen without reserpine. HCG (LH-like) and particularly PMS (FSH-like) hormones combined with reserpine caused definite enlargement of the ovaries. In the hypophysectomized groups, the effect of the PMS and HCG hormones administered together with reserpine or without it was the same with regard to the weight of the ovaries, but not with regard to their histological picture. On the basis of these results, reserpine may be said to have a peripheral effect although the nature of its mechanism of action is difficult to state. Reserpine probably affects the ovaries by inhibiting the follicular cycle and, consequently, the formation of new and more mature follicles.

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THE EFFECTS OF MORPHINE AND OTHER NARCOTICS ON THYROID FUNCTION IN MICE

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0510391 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 391-399 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Tommie W. Redding ◽

Cyril Y. Bowers ◽

Andrew V. Schally

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Gland ◽

Thyroid Function ◽

Direct Action ◽

Control Level ◽

Daily Administration ◽

Pituitary Secretion ◽

Turn Over

ABSTRACT Several drugs from the morphine, pethidine and morphinan series were evaluated with respect to their action on the pituitary secretion of thyrotrophin (TSH). This action was measured by the release and the uptake of 131I by the thyroid gland of mice. Daily administration of 500 μg of morphine, codeine, dihydromorphinone, levorphan, dextrorphan or meperidine significantly depressed the uptake of 131I by the thyroid gland within five days. Single injections of 500 μg of either dihydromorphinone or levorphan increased the thyroidal uptake of 131I The thyroids of hypophysectomized mice, pretreated with 131I and thyroxine, failed to respond to injections of these drugs. Daily administration of these drugs for five days failed to change pituitary content of TSH from the control level, or to effect a change in the turn-over rate of exogenous radiothyroxine. These results suggest that these drugs do not exert direct action on the thyroid but act on thyroid function through their effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis.

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