LEVELS OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE, FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE, TESTOSTERONE AND DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE IN THE CIRCULATION OF SEXUALLY MATURING INTACT MALE RATS AND AFTER ORCHIDECTOMY AND EXPERIMENTAL BILATERAL CRYPTORCHIDISM

1975 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. GUPTA ◽  
K. RAGER ◽  
J. ZARZYCKI ◽  
M. EICHNER

SUMMARY Plasma concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) have been measured in normal sexually maturing male rats from the age of 16–90 days. Between 16 and 25 days plasma testosterone levels were low, but rose suddenly on day 26. A similar increment occurred at the same time in plasma DHT levels, but this steroid reached its peak concentration later than testosterone. Plasma LH levels rose steadily from day 25 onwards, reaching their highest values on day 30. A marked increase in FSH levels was found on day 16, and a peak was reached on day 33 followed by a decline to a level characteristic of the adult. In addition, plasma levels of all these hormones were estimated in the male animals at various stages of development after orchidectomy and cryptorchidism. Four days after operation, the plasma levels of LH and FSH in the orchidectomized animals reached higher levels than those found in the intact animals, indicating the existence of a dynamic feedback relationship before puberty between gonadal steroids and pituitary gonadotrophic secretion. However, results from the experimental bilaterally cryptorchid animals, suggested that the gonadal steroid–gonadotrophic feedback relationship could not be the only factor initiating puberty.

1981 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mridula Chowdhury ◽  
Robert Tcholakian ◽  
Emil Steinberger

Abstract. It has been suggested that treatment of intact male rats with oestradiol benzoate (OeB) causes an interference with testosterone (T) production by the testes by a direct inhibitory effect on steroidogenesis. To test this hypothesis, different doses (5, 10 or 25 IU) of hCG were administered concomitantly with 50 μg of OeB to adult intact or hypophysectomized male rats. The testicular and plasma testosterone, and serum hCG levels were determined. The sex accessory weights were recorded. In the intact OeB-treated group of animals, hCG stimulated both the secondary sex organs and plasma testosterone levels above the intact control group. However, in hypophysectomized animals, although plasma testosterone levels increased above that of intact controls, their secondary sex organ weights did not. Moreover, inspite of high circulating hCG levels, the testicular testosterone content and concentration remained suppressed in OeB-treated animals. The reason for such dichotomy of hCG action on OeB-treated animals is not clear at present.


1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (5) ◽  
pp. E776-E781 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Genazzani ◽  
F. Petraglia ◽  
C. Volpogni ◽  
G. D'Ambrogio ◽  
F. Facchinetti ◽  
...  

Pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin was investigated in amenorrheic patients and in fertile and postmenopausal women to assess both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) episodic secretion and its temporal coupling with luteinizing hormone (LH). Three groups of amenorrheic patients were studied: hyperandrogenic (n = 20), hypogonadotropic (n = 51), and normogonadotropic (n = 31). Nineteen fertile women (during the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle) and sixteen postmenopausal women were investigated as reference groups. All subjects demonstrated the presence of a distinct pulsatile pattern with LH and FSH pulses/4 h as follows: hyperandrogenic 3.95 +/- 0.26 and 3.85 +/- 0.2, hypogonadotropic 3.76 +/- 0.26 and 3.9 +/- 0.16, normogonadotropic 3.5 +/- 0.2 and 3.9 +/- 0.17 LH and FSH pulses/4 h, respectively (means +/- SE). Normal controls showed 4.1 +/- 0.2 and 3.1 +/- 0.2 pulses/4 h for LH (P < 0.05) and 3.2 +/- 0.1 and 3.6 +/- 0.3 pulses/4 h for FSH, during follicular and luteal phases, respectively. Postmenopausal women showed 3.6 +/- 0.2 and 3.0 +/- 0.3 pulses/4 h for LH and FSH, respectively. Specific concordance (SC) index demonstrated that LH and FSH were significantly and simultaneously secreted in all groups. Conversely, LH and FSH were not temporally related during the luteal phase. In conclusion, we report a distinct FSH episodic secretion and its temporal linkage with LH pulses irrespective of plasma concentrations of gonadal steroids in secondary amenorrhea.


1973 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 615-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Maurer ◽  
U. Volkwein ◽  
J. Tamm

ABSTRACT HCG was infused intravenously into normal male subjects. The doses administered were 500, 100 and 50 IU, respectively. During the initial phase of the infusions the plasma testosterone (T) levels decreased. Thirty minutes after starting the infusion of 500 and 100 IU HCG, respectively, the plasma testosterone increased. Significantly elevated values were observed 60 to 180 minutes after the cessation of HCG administration. The dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations in the plasma showed a varying pattern. On the average this steroid also exhibited an increase in plasma following the HCG administration. From the results no conclusions can be drawn as to the extent to which the plasma concentrations of DHT have been influenced by a secretion from the testes or by a peripheral conversion of T into DHT.


1974 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. EL SAFOURY ◽  
A. BARTKE

SUMMARY The effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) on plasma testosterone levels were examined in hypophysectomized and in intact immature and adult male rats. The animals were injected with saline, LH, FSH, or both gonadotrophins twice daily for 3·5 days and were killed 3 h after the last injection. Plasma testosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. In immature hypophysectomized rats, plasma testosterone levels were not changed by treatment with LH, FSH or LH plus FSH. The weight of the testes and of the seminal vesicles was increased only in animals injected with both LH and FSH. In adult hypophysectomized rats, LH caused the expected increase in plasma testosterone levels, while FSH injected alone had no effect. Plasma testosterone levels in rats treated with 5 μg LH and 20 μg FSH were significantly greater than those in animals given 5 μg LH alone. However, the same dose of FSH did not potentiate the action of 25 μg LH on plasma testosterone levels. In adult hypophysectomized rats the weight of testes was not affected by any of the treatments. The weight of the seminal vesicles was increased by the higher dose of LH and addition of FSH caused no further increase. In intact immature and adult rats plasma testosterone levels and the weight of testes were not changed by any of the treatments. Seminal vesicle weight was increased only in adult rats treated with the higher dose of LH together with FSH. The results demonstrate that FSH potentiates the action of low doses of LH on plasma testosterone levels in adult hypophysectomized rats and suggest that FSH may be involved in the regulation of androgen secretion by the rat testis.


1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (10) ◽  
pp. 2130-2134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan J. Hannon ◽  
John C. Wingfield

Concentrations of plasma testosterone, estradiol, corticosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay in wild willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) of both sexes over the breeding season. In males, plasma concentrations of testosterone and LH increased once they became territorial, and this was paralleled by increases in comb size and initiation of molt into courtship plumage. A decline of testosterone and circulating LH levels during late territoriality and egg laying coincided with molt into summer plumage. FSH titers did not vary significantly through the season, but there was a trend for higher levels during the territorial period. Plasma concentrations of corticosterone were highest during pre- and late territoriality and brood rearing. In females, testosterone levels were about 13 times lower than in males and did not vary significantly, whereas LH was high from pre- to mid-territoriality and again in the brood season. Elevated LH levels may be correlated with aggressive behaviour in females. FSH and estradiol concentrations were highest during the period of egg formation. Corticosterone was correlated with chase time in both sexes.


1989 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lindén ◽  
K. Uvnäs-Moberg ◽  
G. Forsberg ◽  
I. Bednar ◽  
P. Södersten

ABSTRACT Intraperitoneal injection of 5 μg cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) into male rats deprived of food for 48 h produced a transient (less than 15 min) increase in plasma levels of CCK-8 but suppressed food intake for an extended period (45 min). Plasma concentrations of CCK-8 after i.p. injection of CCK-8 were raised to levels which were fairly comparable to those after feeding. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of the CCK antagonist proglumide (100 μg) reversed the effect of CCK-8 on food intake, while i.p. injection of proglumide (100 μg) did not have this effect. Feeding increased the plasma concentrations of somatostatin and gastrin but not of oxytocin, and somatostatin and oxytocin but not gastrin were released in response to i.p. injection of CCK-8. However, neither somatostatin nor oxytocin affected food intake, and their release in response to CCK-8 was unaffected by i.c.v. injection of proglumide. These results support the suggestion that CCK-8 is a physiological 'satiety' peptide, which can affect food intake in rats by mechanisms involving both peripheral and central CCK receptors. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 121, 59–65


1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1231-1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gérard Lescoat ◽  
Denise Lescoat ◽  
Danièle Garnier

In 60-day old intact male rats, stress imposed by a strange environment increased the levels of plasma LH and testosterone. Adrenalectomy, performed at 50 days of age, decreased plasma level of testosterone in basal conditions. However, without affecting the plasma level of LH significantly, stress increased plasma testosterone, albeit to a lesser extent, in the adrenalectomized rats. Stimulation of the testicular secretion by the high level of ACTH seems to be the most likely explanation for the observed testosterone peak in the adrenalectomized rat.


1989 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. Thomas ◽  
J. T. Cummins ◽  
G. A. Smythe ◽  
R. M. Gleeson ◽  
R. C. Dow ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The concentrations of dopamine, noradrenaline and their respective primary neuronal metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (DHPG) were measured in the hypophysial portal and peripheral plasma of sheep and rats by combined gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Hypophysial portal and jugular blood samples were taken at 5- to 10-min intervals for 3–7 h from six conscious ovariectomized ewes. Blood was also collected for 30 min under urethane anaesthesia from the cut pituitary stalk from 16 pro-oestrous female and five intact male rats. In ovariectomized ewes, noradrenaline concentrations were higher in hypophysial portal plasma than in peripheral plasma (6·6 ± 0·8 vs 2·2 ± 0·4 nmol/l). In contrast, dopamine was undetectable (<1 nmol/l) in the portal and peripheral plasma of all ewes. Plasma levels of DOPAC and DHPG in portal and jugular samples were similar. In all pro-oestrous female rats, plasma concentrations of dopamine were higher in portal blood than in jugular blood (8·0±1·4 vs 4·8± 0·6 nmol/l). Detectable concentrations of dopamine were measured in the portal plasma of two out of five male rats. Noradrenaline concentrations were higher in portal plasma than in peripheral plasma of both female (8·3 ± 1·7 vs 3·7 ± 0·6 nmol/l) and male (14·8± 2·7 vs 6·1± 1·2 nmol/l) rats. These data show that noradrenaline, but not dopamine, is secreted into the long portal vessels in sheep. The results suggest that there are species differences in the secretion of hypothalamic dopamine into hypophysial portal blood. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 121, 141–147


1980 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. P. HERMANS ◽  
E. C. M. VAN LEEUWEN ◽  
M. H. M. DEBETS ◽  
F. H. DE JONG

Administration of steroid-free bovine follicular fluid (bFF), containing inhibin-like activity, depressed levels of FSH measured 4 h after injection in intact adult and 35-day-old female rats, but not in younger females. Suppression of FSH was also observed in intact male rats, aged 55 days, but not in older and younger male rats. Eight hours after injection of bFF, FSH levels were depressed in 15-day-old and older immature and adult rats of both sexes. Male and female rats, gonadectomized 2 days earlier, responded similarly to bFF treatment as did the intact animals. In a second experiment it was found that the rise of FSH levels, occurring within 8 h of gonadectomy, decreased with age in male and increased with age in female rats. Steroid treatment was found to prevent the rise in FSH levels partially in 15-day-old male and completely in 25-day-old female rats, whereas treatment with bFF was fully effective in blocking the FSH rise in both immature and adult rats of both sexes. It is concluded that inhibin might be a major physiological factor in a fast-acting control of FSH concentrations from at least the age of 25 days onwards in female rats. In male rats its physiological significance might be limited to the prepubertal period, despite the fact that pituitary secretion of FSH is suppressed by exogenous inhibin-like activity at all ages studied.


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