Regulation by ovarian factors of the LHRH-induced LH response in pituitary glands in situ or grafted under the kidney capsule in intact and ovariectomized rats

1989 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. M. J. van Dieten ◽  
J. de Koning ◽  
G. P. van Rees
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Lag Phase ◽  
Kidney Capsule ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Lh Release ◽  
Secretory Products

ABSTRACT When pituitary glands from intact female rats are incubated with LHRH, the resulting LH release shows a biphasic pattern: an initial low rate of LH release (lag phase) is followed by a high rate. When pituitary glands from long-term ovariectomized rats are incubated, the rate of LH release is high throughout stimulation with LHRH. The disappearance of the lag phase might be due to increased LHRH release after ovariectomy and/or the disappearance of ovarian factors. To distinguish between these possibilities, pituitary glands which had been exposed to endogenous LHRH (pituitary glands in situ) or which had been unexposed to endogenous LHRH (pituitary glands transplanted under the kidney capsule) were incubated in the presence or absence of LHRH. Biphasic LH secretion patterns were observed during incubation with LHRH with the animal's own pituitary gland and with the transplanted pituitary gland from intact, but not from ovariectomized rats. Thus the disappearance of the lag phase after ovariectomy results from the absence of ovarian secretory products, rather than from increased release of LHRH. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 123, 41–45

The involvement of ovarian factors in maintaining the pituitary glands of female rats in a state of low LH responsiveness to LHRH

1987 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. de Koning ◽  
A. M. I. Tijssen ◽  
G. P. van Rees
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Phase Response ◽  
The Self ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Lag Phase ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Rat Pituitary ◽  
Pituitary Glands

ABSTRACT The effects of discontinuation and restoration of ovarian influences on the pituitary LH response to LHRH in vitro were investigated. When female rat pituitary glands taken on day 2 of dioestrus were incubated with LHRH the release of LH was low during the first hour (lag phase response) and afterwards a progressive, protein synthesis-dependent increase took place (second phase response), this being the self-priming action of LHRH. Short-term discontinuation (less than 1 day) of ovarian influences on the rat pituitary gland in vivo (ovariectomy) or in vitro (incubation in medium only) resulted in an increased LHRH-induced LH response during the lag phase. The biphasic LH response or the self-priming action of LHRH disappeared completely after long-term discontinuation of ovarian influences on the pituitary gland, LH release being at its maximum from the start of the incubation. The biphasic response was reinstated when ovaries were implanted under the kidney capsules of ovariectomized rats. Auto-implantation of an ovary into the spleen immediately after bilateral ovariectomy did not, however, prevent the disappearance of the LHRH self-priming action. Ovarian activity responsible for the presence of the low LH response during the lag phase was thus effectively removed by the liver, but inhibin-like activity suppressing serum FSH levels remained present. Silicone elastomer implants (s.c.) containing oestradiol-17β, implanted for 4 weeks, did not reverse the loss of the biphasic LH response to LHRH. It is concluded that liver-labile factors released by the ovaries keep the pituitary gland in a state of low responsiveness to LHRH. By giving a sufficiently high LHRH stimulus this inhibitory effect is neutralized and transition to a highly responsive state can be achieved. The ovarian factor(s) is not identical to inhibin or oestradiol-17β. J. Endocr. (1987) 112, 265–273

Effect of pre-treatment of long-term ovariectomized rats with anti-LRH on the response of the pituitary gland in vitro to the analogue of LRH D-ser-(tBu)6-des-gly10-ethylamide-LRH (Buserelin®)

1983 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. van Rees ◽  
J. A. M. J. van Dieten ◽  
J. de Koning ◽  
A. F. P. M. de Goey
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Rabbit Serum ◽  
Normal Rabbit Serum ◽  
Basal Release ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Lh Release ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract. Ovariectomized rats were injected iv with an antiserum against LRH or normal rabbit serum. AntiLRH caused a decrease of plasma LH and FSH. After 24 or 48 h, the rats were decapitated and the pituitary glands incubated in the presence of an analogue of LRH which reacts minimally with anti-LRH (Buserelin). Pretreatment with anti-LRH caused an increased response of pituitary LH release to Buserelin. Similar results were obtained with regard to FSH. In this case, however, basal release of FSH was lowered by pre-treatment with antiLRH. Pituitary LH and FSH contents were not affected by anti-LRH, but synthesis of LH and FSH in vitro was smaller than in control glands obtained from rats pretreated with normal rabbit serum.

The self-priming action of LHRH increases the low pituitary LH and FSH response caused by ovarian factors: observations in vitro

1989 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. de Koning ◽  
A. M. I. Tijssen ◽  
G. P. van Rees
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Priming Effect ◽  
Phase Response ◽  
The Self ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Lag Phase ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Prolonged Incubation ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Free Material

ABSTRACT Pituitary glands taken from intact rats on day 2 of dioestrus and incubated with LHRH show a biphasic pattern of LH and FSH release. Initially the release of the gonadotrophins is low (first-phase or lag-phase response), but increases during further incubation with LHRH (second-phase or primed-state response). Removal of the influence of an unidentified ovarian factor either by ovariectomy or prolonged incubation in medium only leads to an increased (lag-phase) response to LHRH. The development of the increased response after prolonged incubation was prevented by the addition of cycloheximide to the media, implicating that this process is dependent upon the synthesis of protein. Steroid-free material (bovine follicular fluid or rat ovarian extracts) prevented the development of this process. In addition, it was shown that steroid-free rat ovarian extracts were also able to induce the development of a lag phase in pituitary glands from ovariectomized rats. Finally, it was found that steroid-free ovarian extracts reversed the self-priming effect of LHRH. The biological activity which reduced the responsiveness of the pituitary gland towards stimulation by LHRH was eliminated after the use of protein-denaturating techniques such as increased temperature or addition of methanol. The presence of this activity in ovaries, did not vary during the oestrous cycle, contrary to inhibin-like activity. Hence the ovarian factor responsible for the low lag-phase response is a protein which is probably not identical to inhibin. It is concluded that a non-steroidal ovarian factor reduces the responsiveness of the anterior pituitary gland to LHRH. This reduced responsiveness can be reversed by LHRH, which is generally recognized as the self-priming effect of LHRH. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 120, 439–447

ON THE SECRETION OF CORTICOTROPHIN BY THE HOMOTRANSPLANTED PITUITARY GLAND IN THE RAT

1962 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Foster ◽  
I. Rothchild
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Unilateral Adrenalectomy ◽  
Kidney Capsule ◽  
Ether Anaesthesia ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Releasing Process ◽  
Acth Release

ABSTRACT Ten week old male rats bearing pituitary gland homotransplants beneath the kidney capsule (transplanted 3 weeks previously) were hypophysectomized 24 hours prior to testing the transplant's ability to release corticotrophin (ACTH). Adrenal ascorbic acid depletion was used as the measure of ACTH release following the stimuli of ether anaesthesia and unilateral adrenalectomy, or these two stimuli, plus intravenous histamine. No significant adrenal ascorbic acid depletion occurred in such animals either 1 or 4 hours after these stimuli. The same results were obtained in rats that were hypophysectomized at the time of pituitary transplantation (7 weeks of age) and tested 3 weeks later. The transplanted pituitary glands contained ACTH at a concentration equivalent to that of the in situ glands. The rats bearing in situ as well as transplanted anterioi pituitary glands until 24 hours prior to autopsy had adrenal weights slightly but significantly heavier than comparable non-transplant-bearing animals. The results suggest that transplantation of the adenohypophysis beneath the kidney capsule interferes with an ACTH releasing process which is most likely mediated primarily through a direct connection with the CNS. The possibility that the slightly heavier adrenals in the transplant bearing animals might be due to a non-ACTH factor secreted by the transplant was also considered.

Superovulation induced by a single pituitary gland transplanted beneath the kidney capsule in adult rats

1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Sameshima ◽  
K. Taya ◽  
S. Sasamoto ◽  
T. Etoh
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Mature Female ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Kidney Capsule ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Pituitary Glands

Different numbers of rat pituitary glands, taken from male and female rats before and after puberty, were transplanted into various sites in female rats at different stages of the oestrous cycle. Ovulation was checked by counting ova in oviducts on the next expected day of ovulation. Ovulation was induced by transplantation beneath the kidney capsule in early dioestrus of half, one or three glands from 35- to 41-day-old male rats (18·6 ± 3·1 (s.e.m.), 32·6 ± 2·8 and 49·8±4·8 ova shed respectively). The transplantation of glands from mature female rats did not induce superovulation but inhibited the expected ovulation. The most effective stage for inducing superovulation was early dioestrus and, to a lesser extent, oestrus; transplantation during late dioestrus was ineffective. The effective sites of transplantation were beneath the kidney capsule and intramuscularly but not subcutaneously. Representative pituitary glands from 35- to 41-day-old male rats and adult female rats were assayed for LH and FSH content to interpret the mechanisms of superovulation. The pituitary glands from the male rats contained larger amounts of LH and especially of FSH than those found in the female rats. The experiments indicated that superovulation can be induced successfully by the transplantation of a single pituitary gland from male and immature female rats without any additional treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin; the failure of the female pituitary transplants to induce superovulation may be due to the insufficient content of LH and FSH.

Changes in the characteristics of pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion during the oestrous cycle and after ovariectomy and oestrogen treatment in female rats

1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Higuchi ◽  
Masazumi Kawakami
Keyword(s):  
Hormone Secretion ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone Secretion ◽  
Oestrogen Treatment ◽  
Serum Lh ◽  
Lh Release

Changes in the characteristics of LH secretory pulses in female rats were determined in different hormonal conditions; during the oestrous cycle and after ovariectomy and oestrogen treatment. The frequency and amplitude of the LH pulses were stable during the oestrous cycle except at oestrus when a pattern could not be discerned because of low LH concentrations. These were significantly lower than those measured during other stages of the cycle. Mean LH concentrations and LH pulse amplitudes increased with time up to 30 days after ovariectomy. The frequency of the LH pulse was unchanged 4 days after ovariectomy when mean LH levels had already increased. The frequency increased 10 days after ovariectomy and then remained stable in spite of a further increase in mean serum LH concentrations. Oestradiol-17β injected into ovariectomized rats caused a decrease in LH pulse amplitude but no change in pulse frequency. One day after treatment with oestradiol benzoate no LH pulse was detectable, probably because the amplitude was too small. A generator of pulsatile LH release is postulated and an oestrogen effect on its function is discussed.

Effects of long-term administration of high doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate on hormone receptors and target organs in the female rat

1984 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Di Carlo ◽  
S. Racca ◽  
G. Conti ◽  
E. Gallo ◽  
G. Muccioli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ◽  
Prolactin Receptor ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Target Organs ◽  
Term Administration ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
High Doses

ABSTRACT The changes in oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin receptor levels in target organs, and the macroscopic and microscopic modifications of uterus, ovary, adrenal and pituitary gland induced by long-term administration of high doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) were investigated in female rats. Medroxyprogesterone acetate was injected i.m. for 30 days at daily doses of 7·5, 15 and 75 mg/kg. Oestrogen and/or progesterone-binding capacities were remarkably reduced at all doses of MPA used both in the uterus and pituitary gland. Furthermore, MPA caused a very evident reduction in the weight of pituitary glands, ovaries, adrenals and uterus. In all MPA-treated rats corpora lutea were absent from the ovaries, whereas the adrenals showed a significant reduction in the thickness of the cortex. In accordance with this, there was no evidence of ACTH-producing cells in the pituitary glands. Prolactin-producing cells were also absent, while GH-producing cells were present. Serum prolactin levels were significantly reduced at all doses of MPA used. A dramatic reduction of prolactin receptor concentrations was observed in the liver and the ovaries of MPA-treated rats. The results suggest that MPA acts as an antioestrogenic drug both by reducing the number of oestrogen receptors in target tissues and by changing the structure (and perhaps the function) of those organs (pituitary glands, ovaries and adrenals) which are, directly or indirectly, a source of oestrogens. The decreased synthesis of prolactin and the reduction of the number of prolactin receptors (which, on the contrary, are both increased by oestrogens) might be considered as additional antioestrogenic effects of MPA. J. Endocr. (1984) 103, 287–293

Effect of Starvation on Pituitary and Serum Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone Following Ovariectomy in the Rat

1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 768-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Ibrahim ◽  
B. E. Howland
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Pituitary Gland ◽  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Intact Female ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

The concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum and pituitary glands was studied in intact female rats and rats that were ovariectomized on day 0 of the experiment and then starved or fed for 2, 4, 7, or 9 days. Ovariectomy resulted in enhanced rates of synthesis and release of FSH and LH as indicated by the significant (P < 0.01) rises in the concentration of both hormones in the pituitary gland and serum.Starvation resulted in a decrease in body and pituitary weight. The concentration of FSH and LH in pituitary glands of starved rats was higher (P < 0.05) than that in fed rats on days 7 and 9. The concentration of FSH and LH in serum of starved rats was increased after ovariectomy but the levels on days 7 and 9 were lower than those of fed rats.These results suggest that the synthesis of FSH and LH was enhanced in both starved and fed rats following ovariectomy while the rate of release of both hormones was decreased at 7 and 9 days of starvation in comparison with rats fed ad libitum.

THE CORPUS LUTEUM-HYPOPHYSIS RELATIONSHIP: THE EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE TREATMENT ON THE RELEASE OF GONADOTROPHINS IN THE RAT

1966 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew B. Kaufman ◽  
I. Rothchild
Keyword(s):  
Female Rats ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Significant Elevation ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Progesterone Treatment ◽  
Gonadotrophin Secretion ◽  
Pituitary Glands ◽  
Weight Method

ABSTRACT The effect of progesterone on pituitary gonadotrophin release has been studied in the rat. Castrated female rats bearing ovarian autotransplants, or unilaterally ovariectomized rats, were given 1 to 5 mg of progesterone daily for intervals from 7 to 28 days, and then killed. The ovaries, uteri, and vaginas were examined grossly and microscopically, and the pituitary glands were assayed for total gonadotrophin content by the mouse uterine weight method. Although treatment with 5 mg of progesterone for 28 days inhibited ovulation, it did not prevent Graafian follicle development (determined histologically) or secretory function (evaluated by the presence of vaginal mucification) in either of the animal preparations. Progesterone treatment was associated with a significant elevation of pituitary gonadotrophic potency in the castrated rats bearing ovarian autotransplants, but not in the unilaterally ovariectomized rats. These findings suggest that the tonic rate of gonadotrophin secretion is unaffected by treatment with 5 mg of progesterone daily. The acute discharge of the ovulation inducing hormone complex (probably primarily LH) is, however, inhibited by such a dose of progesterone, and probably accounts for the inhibition of ovulation. The findings also suggest that the amount of progesterone secreted by the functioning corpora lutea during pseudopregnancy in the rat is equivalent in effect to between 2 and 5 mg of progesterone injected once daily.

Oxytocin stimulates LH production by the anterior pituitary gland of the rat

1992 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Robinson ◽  
J. J. Evans ◽  
K. J. Catt
Keyword(s):  
Female Rats ◽  
Release Mechanism ◽  
Protein Synthesis Inhibitor ◽  
Pituitary Cells ◽  
Synthesis Inhibitor ◽  
Mechanical Dispersion ◽  
Lh Release

ABSTRACT Gonadotrophin-releasing activity of oxytocin has previously been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. This study investigated whether oxytocin is also able to induce LH accumulation in pituitary cells. Following trypsin digestion and mechanical dispersion, pituitary cells from female rats were incubated with oxytocin (100 nmol/l) for 24 h. LH release stimulated by oxytocin increased (P < 0·001) progressively during the incubation indicating a different secretory pattern from the more rapid but less sustained secretion stimulated by gonadotrophin-releasing hormone. Oxytocin also enhanced (P < 0·01) total LH accumulation in the incubation system (released plus cell contents) which was apparent after 7–11 h of stimulation. The release of LH stimulated by oxytocin was reduced by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (10 μmol/l). However, cycloheximide did not completely block oxytocin-stimulated LH release; there remained some LH release above that seen in non-stimulated controls (P < 0·01) revealing the presence of a cycloheximide-resistant component in the release mechanism. Furthermore, accumulation of total LH in 24 h incubations was suppressed (P < 0·01) by cycloheximide. The advancement in LH release which oxytocin has been shown to induce in vivo in pro-oestrous rats was accompanied by an early reduction of pituitary LH stores. However, the fall normally observed in LH content during the surge was markedly attenuated by the oxytocin treatment. Thus, loss of pituitary LH stores was less in oxytocin-treated rats than in saline-treated controls, even though net LH release into plasma was increased. Therefore, oxytocin stimulated the replenishment of LH stores. Although the mechanism(s) remains to be defined and the relationships between in-vitro and in-vivo results are as yet uncharacterized, the present study demonstrates that oxytocin treatment stimulates LH production in both dispersed cells and intact pituitaries in situ. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 132, 277–283

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