Response of the pituitary-testicular axis to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in the immature male rat. 1977

H E Grotjan, and D C Johnson

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and androstenedione were measured by radioimmunoassays in the sera of immature male rats treated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH). A single dose of 10, 20, 40 or 80 ng of LH-RH produced a prompt increase in serum LH: signfiicant changes in FSH were found only with the two larger doses. Serum testosterone increased to peak levels in 20 to 40 min and returned to control level by 120 min. Changes in androstenedione were temporally similar but smaller in magnitude. Four doses of 20 or 40 ng LH-RH given at 20 min intervals did not increase serum LH or testosterone concentrations above those found with a single injection; FSH was slightly higher after the fourth dose. However, 40 ng LH-RH given every 20 min for 2 h produced a dramatic increase in serum LH and FSH: serum and testicular androgens were also much higher during the second hour. A 2 h stimulation with 80 ng LH-RH given ip at 30 min intervals did not alter the response to the same treatment given 24 h later; i.e., neither the pituitary nor the gonad was primed by previous exposure to increased levels of LH-RH or gonadotrophins. These results suggest that a single pulse of LH-RH produces a predictable response in the animal, but multiple episodic stimuli produce variable responses: testes, on the other hand, produce androgens as long as gonadotrophins are available.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007986 Luteinizing Hormone A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Luteinizing hormone regulates steroid production by the interstitial cells of the TESTIS and the OVARY. The preovulatory LUTEINIZING HORMONE surge in females induces OVULATION, and subsequent LUTEINIZATION of the follicle. LUTEINIZING HORMONE consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity. ICSH (Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone),Interstitial Cell-Stimulating Hormone,LH (Luteinizing Hormone),Lutropin,Luteoziman,Luteozyman,Hormone, Interstitial Cell-Stimulating,Hormone, Luteinizing,Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone
D007987 Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone A decapeptide that stimulates the synthesis and secretion of both pituitary gonadotropins, LUTEINIZING HORMONE and FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE. GnRH is produced by neurons in the septum PREOPTIC AREA of the HYPOTHALAMUS and released into the pituitary portal blood, leading to stimulation of GONADOTROPHS in the ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND. FSH-Releasing Hormone,GnRH,Gonadoliberin,Gonadorelin,LH-FSH Releasing Hormone,LHRH,Luliberin,Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone,Cystorelin,Dirigestran,Factrel,Gn-RH,Gonadorelin Acetate,Gonadorelin Hydrochloride,Kryptocur,LFRH,LH-RH,LH-Releasing Hormone,LHFSH Releasing Hormone,LHFSHRH,FSH Releasing Hormone,Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone,LH FSH Releasing Hormone,LH Releasing Hormone,Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone,Releasing Hormone, LHFSH
D008297 Male Males
D010902 Pituitary Gland A small, unpaired gland situated in the SELLA TURCICA. It is connected to the HYPOTHALAMUS by a short stalk which is called the INFUNDIBULUM. Hypophysis,Hypothalamus, Infundibular,Infundibular Stalk,Infundibular Stem,Infundibulum (Hypophysis),Infundibulum, Hypophyseal,Pituitary Stalk,Hypophyseal Infundibulum,Hypophyseal Stalk,Hypophysis Cerebri,Infundibulum,Cerebri, Hypophysis,Cerebrus, Hypophysis,Gland, Pituitary,Glands, Pituitary,Hypophyseal Stalks,Hypophyses,Hypophysis Cerebrus,Infundibular Hypothalamus,Infundibular Stalks,Infundibulums,Pituitary Glands,Pituitary Stalks,Stalk, Hypophyseal,Stalk, Infundibular,Stalks, Hypophyseal,Stalks, Infundibular
D010903 Pituitary Gland, Anterior The anterior glandular lobe of the pituitary gland, also known as the adenohypophysis. It secretes the ADENOHYPOPHYSEAL HORMONES that regulate vital functions such as GROWTH; METABOLISM; and REPRODUCTION. Adenohypophysis,Anterior Lobe of Pituitary,Anterior Pituitary Gland,Lobus Anterior,Pars Distalis of Pituitary,Adenohypophyses,Anterior Pituitary Glands,Anterior, Lobus,Anteriors, Lobus,Lobus Anteriors,Pituitary Anterior Lobe,Pituitary Glands, Anterior,Pituitary Pars Distalis
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005640 Follicle Stimulating Hormone A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates GAMETOGENESIS and the supporting cells such as the ovarian GRANULOSA CELLS, the testicular SERTOLI CELLS, and LEYDIG CELLS. FSH consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH, and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity. FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone),Follicle-Stimulating Hormone,Follitropin
D000735 Androstenedione A delta-4 C19 steroid that is produced not only in the TESTIS, but also in the OVARY and the ADRENAL CORTEX. Depending on the tissue type, androstenedione can serve as a precursor to TESTOSTERONE as well as ESTRONE and ESTRADIOL. 4-Androstene-3,17-dione,delta-4-Androstenedione,4 Androstene 3,17 dione,delta 4 Androstenedione
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013737 Testis The male gonad containing two functional parts: the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES for the production and transport of male germ cells (SPERMATOGENESIS) and the interstitial compartment containing LEYDIG CELLS that produce ANDROGENS. Testicles,Testes,Testicle

Related Publications

H E Grotjan, and D C Johnson
March 2004, Journal of neuroendocrinology,
H E Grotjan, and D C Johnson
July 1977, Research in experimental medicine. Zeitschrift fur die gesamte experimentelle Medizin einschliesslich experimenteller Chirurgie,
H E Grotjan, and D C Johnson
September 2000, European journal of endocrinology,
H E Grotjan, and D C Johnson
September 1985, Journal of steroid biochemistry,
Copied contents to your clipboard!