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Biomedical subjects

C A Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to C A Wilson.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Activity of the pituitary-adrenocortical system and thyroid gland during the oestrous cycle of the rat.

The concentrations of LH, progesterone, ACTH, corticosterone and thyroxine in the plasma were estimated at various times during the oestrous cycle of the rat. The well-established patterns of LH and progesterone secretion were confirmed. On each day of the cycle the plasma concentrations of ACTH and corticosterone were lowest in the morning and rose in the afternoon. Conversely, during oestrus and dioestrus, the plasma concentrations of thyroxine were higher in the morning than in the evening. However, during the afternoon of pro-oestrus the concentrations of ACTH, corticosterone and thyroxine in the plasma rose and, like the concentrations of LH and progesterone, all reached levels far higher than those attained at any other time of the cycle.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Steroidal control of the release of the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone in the rat.

Experiments were carried out on 4 day cyclic rats or immature rats induced to ovulate by administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin. Removal of the ovaries and adrenal glands at 17.00 h of pro-oestrus, i.e. after the critical period, prevented the appearance of the surge of LH. Sham-operation or removal of only one of the sets of glands had no effect. This indicates that the preovulatory increase in the concentration of oestradiol is not solely responsible for the surge of LH; the presence of a steroid, secreted by the ovaries and adrenal glands in the late afternoon of pro-oestrus, is also required. Attempts were made to reinstate the surge of LH in ovariectomized, adrenalectomized rats by administration of one of the steroids normally secreted in late pro-oestrus. Corticosterone, 20alpha- and 20beta-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone all had no effect. Progesterone injected at the time of the operation stimulated the release of LH but only after the plasma concentration had reached its maximum 3--5 hr after injection. Testosterone also stimulated the release of LH some hours after administration.

Adrenalectomy↗

Potentiation of hyperphagia and relief of hypothermia in the genetically obese mouse (genotype, ob/ob) by alpha-methyl tyrosine.

DL-alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester hydrochloride affected the hyperphagia and hypothermia characteristic of the genetically obese mouse (genotype, ob/ob) throughout an experimental period of 5 days. Intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg/kg body weight, daily, resulted in a significant increase in the average daily food consumption by 60 per cent, already elevated 35 per cent above that of lean litter-mates. The drug, administered at the same dose, caused a similar percentage elevation of food intake in the lean litter-mates. Rectal temperatures of obese mice were raised significantly throughout the 5-day period by an average of 0.95 degrees C, following administration of the drug. There was a significant rise of 0.75 degrees C in the rectal temperature of lean mice on 2 of the 5 days in the period. Body weight remained unchanged. Further experiments are necessary to determine the site of action at which DL-alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine brings about these effects at this dose in lean and obese mice.

Animals↗

Effect of serotonin and progesterone on induced ovulation in immature rats.

Serotonin (50 and 100 mg/kg), given subcutaneously, inhibited induced ovulation in immature rats treated with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG). A single injection was effective if given 52-55 h after the PMSG, i.e. in the 3 h period after the critical period before ovulation. The injection of serotonin inhibited the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary since the pituitary levels were higher than in the control animals and there was complete inhibition of the plasma LH surge. The anti-ovulatory effect was reversed by administration of progesterone and endogenous plasma progesterone levels were reduced in the late evening after serontonin treatment. The site of action of serotonin appeared to be peripheral since it inhibited induced ovulation in hypophysectomized rats but was without effect in intact rats treated intraventricularly. It is suggested that progesterone is essential for the occurrence of induced ovulation and serotonin inhibits either its secretion at the ovarian level or its passage away from the ovary.

Animals↗