The ovary and sexual maturation of the brain

Development ◽  
1967 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
W. N. Adams Smith
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Single Injection ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Litter Mate ◽  
The Brain

Pfeiffer (1935, 1936) reported the induction of constant oestrus in female rats following the transplantation of testes from litter-mate males just after birth and noted that the ovaries of these animals did not contain corpora lutea. These changes remained after removal of the testis transplants. The same effects were obtained by Bradbury (1941) following the administration of multiple doses of testosterone propionate. Barraclough & Leathern (1954) found that a single injection of 1 mg of testosterone propionate at 5 days of age led to permanent sterility in female mice, with no corpus luteum formation in their ovaries. Similar results were obtained in rats by Barraclough (1961) with the administration of a single injection of 1·25 mg of testosterone propionate. This permanent change in ovarian function does not appear to be a direct effect upon the ovary (Bradbury, 1941).

Inductive influence of testosterone upon central sexual maturation in the rat

Development ◽  
1967 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-175
Author(s):  
W. N. Adams Smith ◽  
M. T. Peng
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Male Genitalia ◽  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Single Injection ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Corpora Lutea

The influence of the testis and of testosterone upon the development of the male genitalia has been extensively investigated and a number of reviews of this work have been published (Jost, 1960; Burns, 1961). However, Witschi (1957) has stressed the need to distinguish between adult sex hormones, such as testosterone, and the secretions of the immature gonad. The formation of corpora lutea in the ovaries transplanted to adult male rats which had been castrated at birth, and the absence of corpus luteum formation in ovaries transplanted to male hosts bearing transplanted testes in the neck from birth, was reported by Pfeiffer in 1936. Similar observations have been reported by Yazaki (1960) and Harris (1964). A single injection of testosterone propionate has been found to lead to permanent sterility and a loss of corpus luteum formation in the ovaries of mice (Barraclough & Leathern, 1954) and rats (Barraclough, 1961).

THE »EARLY-ANDROGEN« SYNDROME; DIFFERENCES IN RESPONSE TO PRE-NATAL AND POST-NATAL ADMINISTRATION OF VARIOUS DOSES OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE IN FEMALE AND MALE RATS

1964 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Swanson ◽  
J. J. van der Werff ten Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Critical Period ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Single Injection ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Time Of Administration

ABSTRACT The interaction between dose and time of administration of testosterone propionate (TP) on the development of sexual function was studied by giving a single dose of 5, 10, 50 or 500 μg TP to young rats of both sexes on the day of birth (day 1) or on day 2, 4 or 5. The effectiveness of androgen administration before birth was studied by giving a single injection of 2500 μg TP to pregnant rats on day 19 to 22 after conception. Pre-natal administration had no effect on the function of the ovaries of female offspring, although the dose was sufficient to cause masculinization of the external genitalia. The weight of the testes and accessories of the male offspring were not affected. The effects of post-natal TP administration on ovarian function varied with the dose and with the time of administration. Threshold doses (5 and 10 μg) were more effective the earlier they were given after birth. With these small doses, most of the rats had normal luteinized ovaries at 10 weeks and were able to bear and suckle normal litters. Some time later ovulations ceased so that at 21 weeks they were no longer fertile; at 27 weeks there were no more corpora lutea in the ovaries. In males, a dose of 50 μg of TP or more resulted in permanently reduced weight of testes, seminal vesicles and prostate. The earlier the treatment, the more marked was the depression of weight. From these results and others reported in the literature the following deductions can be made: (1) the critical period of brain sensitivity to physiological amounts of androgen probably lies between days 4 and 6 (day of birth counted as day 1); (2) a rough estimate of the amount of androgen secreted by the newborn male rat during the critical period would seem to be the equivalent of a single injection of 5–50 μg TP; (3) after the physiological critical period has elapsed a female rat can still be »masculinized« if a high dose of TP is given, up to a period of between 10–20 days after birth.

DEVELOPMENT OF FEMALE RATS INJECTED SHORTLY AFTER BIRTH WITH TESTOSTERONE OR »ANABOLIC STEROIDS«

1964 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dora Jacobsohn
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Anabolic Steroids ◽  
Newborn Infants ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
List Type ◽  
Vaginal Smears ◽  
Early Effects

ABSTRACT The present work is concerned with early effects of a single injection of 1.5 mg testosterone propionate into 5 day old female rats (injected rats). Effects of »anabolic steroids« given to rats shortly after birth, generally on the 5th day, were also studied. Untreated littermates served as controls. As early as 5 days after injection (rat's age 10 days) a reduction in ovarian weight was noticeable. At 10 days after injection the ovaries weighed less than those of controls. Vaginal smears showing cornified cells were obtained from injected rats about 5 days prior to controls. At the controls' first oestrous the ovaries of the injected rats weighed approximately 60 per cent of those of the controls. At this time the ovaries of the controls contained large follicles but no corpora lutea. Confirming previous results of other workers, injected rats observed for about 2 months presented constant vaginal oestrous and ovaries without corpora lutea. The ovaries weighed less than half those of the controls. This result was obtained irrespective of whether one ovary had been removed a fortnight previously, or not. Rats given 1.5 mg testosterone propionate at 20 days of age did not show any persistent effects. Records of weight of body, pituitary gland and adrenals were also in agreement with results of other investigators. Results obtained from similar experiments with »anabolic steroids« (19-nor-testosterone, 1-methyl-androst-1-enolone-oenanthate and methan-drostenolone = Durabol, Primobolan and Dianabol, respectively) indicated that, in the doses studied so far, a depression of endocrine activities and/or persistent defects in the development of female accessory reproductive organs and ovarian function may occur in rats after an injection given within 24 hours after birth or at 5 days of age. The importance of further investigations with regard to the clinical use of »anabolic steroids«, particularly in newborn infants, is discussed.

THE »EARLY-ANDROGEN« SYNDROME; ITS DEVELOPMENT AND THE RESPONSE TO HEMI-SPAYING

1964 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Swanson ◽  
J. J. van der Werff ten Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Single Injection ◽  
Weight Increase ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Transition Stage ◽  
Adult Females

ABSTRACT The »early-androgen« syndrome in the rat – i. e. anovulatory ovaries in adult females after a single injection of testosterone propionate (TP) within a week of birth – may not become apparent until some time after the attainment of sexual maturity. Large doses (50 or 100 μg) of TP were effective earlier than lower doses (5 or 10 μg). Rats which received 5 μg TP were ovulating at 10 weeks of age, mated but were infertile at 13 weeks of age, and were anovulatory at 21 weeks. In rats between 10 and 13 weeks old there was a marked fall in the number of corpora lutea in the ovaries of animals which had been given 5 μg TP. Hemi-spaying was followed by compensatory growth of the remaining ovary which consisted of corpora lutea in ovulating, and of follicles in anovulatory rats; little or no compensatory weight increase occurred in animals which seemed to be in the transition stage from the ovulatory to the anovulatory condition.

Indomethacin treatment prevents prolactin-induced luteolysis in the rat

1987 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Sánchez-Criado ◽  
K. Ochiai ◽  
I. Rothchild
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Left Kidney ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Silicone Elastomer ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Synthesis Inhibitor ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Indomethacin Treatment

ABSTRACT Adult female rats were hypophysectomized and their pituitary glands autotransplanted beneath the left kidney capsule on day 2 (day 1 was the day of ovulation). In such rats the pituitary secretes prolactin fairly constantly and the corpora lutea secrete progesterone for several months. To induce the luteolytic effect of prolactin the rats were first injected s.c. with 2-bromo-α-ergocryptine (CB-154) on cycle days 12, 13 and 14 (i.e. 10, 11 and 12 days after operation) to depress prolactin secretion, and then with CB-154 vehicle (70% ethanol) daily until cycle day 21, to allow prolactin secretion to resume. One ovary was removed from each rat on day 15 and the remaining one on day 22. The mean (± s.e.m.) weight of the corpora lutea on day 15 was 1·46±0·06 mg and 0·98±0·07 mg on day 22 (n = 17). In contrast, rats in which the CB-154 treatment was maintained to day 21 had corpora lutea which weighed 1·31 ±0·09 on day 15 and 1·47 ±0·08 mg on day 22 (n = 15). To investigate whether indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, affected the luteolytic action of prolactin, the experiment was repeated, but on day 15 (after the removal of one ovary) the groups in which CB-154 treatment was stopped, as well as the group in which CB-154 treatment was maintained, were each divided into two groups. In one, indomethacin-containing silicone elastomer wafers and, in the other, blank silicone elastomer wafers, were placed within the bursa of the remaining ovary. There were no differences in corpus luteum weight on day 15 among any of these groups and the two groups of the first experiment. There was no significant difference in corpus luteum weight between day 15 and day 22 in any of the six groups except for the two groups treated with the CB-154 vehicle and not with indomethacin. Thus, treatment with indomethacin prevented the fall in corpus luteum weight associated with the discontinuation of CB-154 treatment. Serum prolactin levels fell until day 15 in all rats and remained low in those in which the CB-154 treatment was maintained to day 21, but returned to control values in those treated with vehicle after day 14. Serum progesterone levels fell and remained low in all groups. Indomethacin treatment had no effect on the levels of either serum prolactin or progesterone. We conclude that some of the pharmacological effects of indomethacin are to prevent prolactin-induced luteolysis, and we suggest that prolactin induces rapid regression of the corpus luteum by stimulating intraluteal prostaglandin production or by being necessary for the effect of luteolytic prostaglandins. J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 317–322

scholarly journals Prolactin independent rescue of mouse corpus luteum life span: identification of prolactin and luteinizing hormone target genes

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (3) ◽  
pp. E676-E684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Bachelot ◽  
Julie Beaufaron ◽  
Nathalie Servel ◽  
Cécile Kedzia ◽  
Philippe Monget ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Mrna Expression Profiling

The corpus luteum (CL) plays a central role in the maintenance of pregnancy in rodents, mainly by secreting progesterone. Female mice lacking prolactin (PRL) receptor (R) are sterile due to a failure of embryo implantation, which is a consequence of decreased luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor expression in the CL and inadequate levels of progesterone. We attempted to treat PRLR−/− females with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and showed a de novo expression of LHR mRNA in the corpora lutea. Binding analysis confirmed that the LHR in hCG-treated PRLR−/− animals was functional. This was accompanied with increased expression of steroidogenic enzymes involved in progesterone synthesis. Despite these effects, no embryo implantation was observed because of high expression of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. To better appreciate the molecular mechanisms underlying maintenance of the CL, a series of mRNA expression-profiling experiments was performed on isolated corpora lutea of PRLR−/− and hCG-treated PRLR−/− mice. This approach revealed several novel candidate genes with potentially pivotal roles in ovarian function, among them, p27, VE-cadherin, Pten, and sFRP-4, a member of the Wnt/frizzled family. This study showed the differential role of PRL and LH in CL function and identified new targets of these hormones in luteal cells.

Effect of anterior and posterior hypothalamic lesions on precocious sexual maturation

1964 ◽  
Vol 206 (4) ◽  
pp. 805-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul C. Schiavi
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Vaginal Opening ◽  
Uterine Weight ◽  
Comparative Effect ◽  
Hypothalamic Lesions ◽  
Medial Hypothalamus ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Made In

The comparative effect of anterior and posterior hypothalamic lesions on the development of sexual maturation of prepubertal female rats was investigated. Lesions by electrocoagulation were made in the medial hypothalamus of 45 rats at 25–26 days of age. Thirty-nine animals of the same age constituted the sham-operated and nonoperated controls. A hastened appearance of vaginal opening and first estrus, a significant increase in uterine weight, precocious ovarian luteinization, and premature sexual cycles were observed following both types of lesions. Sham-operated rats and animals with lesions in other parts of the brain did not show evidence of precocious sexual maturation.

THE EFFECT OF PINEAL METHOXYINDOLES ON RAT VAGINAL OPENING TIME

1971 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 679-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. COLLU ◽  
F. FRASCHINI ◽  
L. MARTINI
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Sexual Maturation ◽  
Lateral Ventricle ◽  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Vaginal Opening ◽  
Significant Delay ◽  
Immature Female ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

SUMMARY Melatonin and 5-methoxytryptophol, the two methoxyindoles of pineal origin, were injected into a lateral ventricle of the brain of immature female rats. Treatment was started on the 25th day of age and terminated when the vagina opened. The injection of both methoxyindoles resulted in a statistically significant delay in vaginal opening. Since previous experiments had shown that melatonin specifically inhibits secretion of luteinizing hormone and that 5-methoxytryptophol specifically blocks release of follicle-stimulating hormone, the present results support the hypothesis that the onset of sexual maturation needs a balanced secretion of both gonadotrophins.

IN-VITRO STEROIDOGENESIS OF NEWLY FORMED CORPORA LUTEA AND THE NON-LUTEAL OVARY IN THE RAT, RABBIT, HAMSTER AND GUINEA-PIG

1980 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. TERRANOVA ◽  
S. K. SAIDAPUR ◽  
G. S. GREENWALD
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
The Other ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Serum Progesterone ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Baseline Levels

The steroidogenic abilities of the newly formed corpus luteum (8–10 h after ovulation) and the non-luteal ovary were compared in the guinea-pig, hamster, rabbit and rat using an invitro incubation technique. Histologically, newly formed rat corpora lutea (CL) were highly luteinized whereas the CL of the rabbit and guinea-pig were only partially luteinized. The CL of the hamster showed the least amount of luteinization. Serum progesterone was highest in the rat (18 ± 3 (s.e.m.) ng/ml). In the hamster, it was about 8 ng/ml, whereas in the rabbit and guinea-pig it was about 1 ng/ml. Serum androstenedione ranged between 0·5 and 1 ng/ml. Serum testosterone was lowest in the hamster (60 pg/ml) and highest in the rabbit (470 pg/ml), whereas in the rat and guinea-pig, testosterone levels were similar (about 240 pg/ml). Serum oestrogens were at baseline levels in all species. The CL of the rat exhibited considerably greater steroidogenic ability than the CL of the other species, producing 70 ± 6 ng progesterone/mg per h, 215 ± 14 pg androstenedione/mg per h, 49 ± 3 pg testosterone/mg per h, 3 pg oestrone/mg per h and 1 pg oestradiol/mg per h. Rabbit CL produced only progesterone (7 ± 2 ng/mg per h). Newly formed hamster CL produced none of the above steroids. In general, the ability of the CL to produce progesterone in vitro correlated with the degree of luteinization found by histological observation. Guinea-pig CL were embedded deeply in the ovary and could not be obtained without damage. Consequently, a portion of the ovary containing a corpus luteum was incubated. There was no difference in the steroid production by this portion of the ovary compared with the non-luteal ovary. The non-luteal ovary of the rat produced the highest amount of progesterone (10 ± 2 ng/mg per h). The guinea-pig non-luteal ovary produced about 5 ± 2 ng progesterone/mg per h, whereas the non-luteal ovary of the rabbit did not produce any. On the other hand, the hamster non-luteal ovary lost progesterone. Non-luteal ovaries from all species produced androgens. The non-luteal ovary of the guinea-pig contained especially large numbers of atretic antral follicles. The guinea-pig non-luteal ovary produced extremely large amounts of androstenedione (1110 ± 210 pg/mg per h) and testosterone (606 ± 154 pg/mg per h) compared with the amounts produced by the non-luteal ovary of the rat, hamster and rabbit. In the non-luteal ovary, interstitium and atretic antral follicles are the probable source of androgens. Oestrogen production by the non-luteal ovary was at baseline levels in the four species studied correlating with the absence of healthy antral follicles. The results indicate the extreme species differences that exist in ovarian function in the early postovulatory period.

PREVENTION OF CENTRAL DEFEMINIZATION BUT NOT MASCULINIZATION IN MALE RATS BY INHIBITION NEONATALLY OF OESTROGEN BIOSYNTHESIS

1977 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. M. VREEBURG ◽  
PAULA D. M. VAN DER VAART ◽  
P. VAN DER SCHOOT
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Function ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Neonatal Period ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Normal Male ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Copulatory Behaviour

SUMMARY An inhibitor of aromatization, androsta-1,4,6-triene-3,17-dione (ATD), was administered to newborn male and female rats and various parameters of gonadal and sexual function were examined in adulthood. Males injected with 1 mg ATD on the day of birth (day 1) and on days 3, 5, 10 and 15 postnatally, subsequently (day 55) showed normal male and female copulatory behaviour, but were not able to maintain cyclicity in ovarian transplants. When the ATD was administered by Silastic implants, however, cyclicity in ovarian transplants did occur. Neither form of treatment brought about significant changes in neonatal plasma or testicular testosterone concentrations. Female rats implanted on day 3 of life with Silastic capsules containing ATD and then given an injection of 0·25 mg testosterone propionate on day 5 subsequently showed normal ovarian function, whereas the controls receiving only testosterone propionate showed persistent vaginal cornification, anovulation and polyfollicular ovaries. The results support the view that the central conversion of testicular androgens to oestrogens during the neonatal period is necessary to abolish cyclic gonadotrophin release and to suppress female copulatory behaviour.

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