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Biomedical subjects

L Cusan

Publications and source records attributed to L Cusan.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Increased testicular 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol formation induced by treatment with [D-Ser (TBU) 6, des-Gly-NH2(10)] LHRH ethylamide in the rat.

While the intact male adult rats respond to LH with a predominant increase of testicular and plasma testosterone levels, the response to LH stimulation in animals treated with the LHRH agonist, [D-Ser(TBU) 6, des-Gly-NH2(10)] LHRH ethylamide is characterized by a major production of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol. The marked increase of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol levels in the presence of a 90% decrease of testosterone concentration strongly suggests that 5 alpha-reductase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activities are increased during testicular desensitization induced by treatment with the LHRH agonist.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1980

Impairment of pituitary and gonadal functions in alloxan-induced diabetic male rats.

The inhibitory effect of treatment with a potent LHRH agonist on testicular gonadotropin-receptor levels was compared in intact and diabetic rats. Basal and LHRH-induced pituitary gonadotropin secretion as well as the testicular steroidogenic response to oLH were assessed. A single injection of alloxan (65 mg/kg) led, after 6 weeks, to a 40% decrease of testicular LH- and prolactin-receptor levels. Treatment for 2 weeks with [D-Ala6,des-Gly-NH 1/2 0] LHRH ethylamide (100 ng every second day) led to a 70% reduction of LH-receptor levels accompanied by decreased testicular weight, a similar inhibition being found in intact and diabetic animals. Seminal vesicle and ventral prostate weight were markedly reduced in diabetic animals, a further decrease being obtained after treatment with the LHRH agonist. The loss of accessory sex-organ weight in alloxan-diabetic rats was accompanied by a reduction in the basal testicular content of pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-OH-progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone whereas the steroid response to oLH was within normal limits. We next examined the possible changes of LH and FSH secretion which could be responsible for the reduced testicular function in diabetic animals. Basal plasma-LH levels were 30% reduced in rats 6 weeks after treatment with alloxan while basal plasma-FSH levels remained unchanged. When the pituitary gonadotropin response to LHRH was measured in chronically cannulated freely-moving intact and diabetic rats, an approx. 50% inhibition of the LH and FSH responses to LHRH was observed in diabetic animals.

Alloxan↗
PubMed1980

beta-Endorphin and met-enkephalins: their distribution, modulation by estrogens and haloperidol, and role in neuroendocrine control.

A single dose of 0.5 micrograms beta-endorphin injected intraventricularly in unanesthetized male rats bearing chronic intraventricular and intrajugular cannulas led to a sevenfold stimulation of plasma prolactin (PRL) levels 10 to 20 min after injection of the peptide, while a dose of 2 micrograms of beta-endorphin led to a comparable stimulation of plasma growth hormone (GH) concentration. Met-Enkephalin was much less potent than beta-endorphin in stimulating PRL and GH release. Naloxone, a specific opiate antagonist, completely blocked the stimulation of GH and PRL release at the doses of 0.5 and 12.5 mg/kg, respectively. beta-Endorphin and Met-enkephalin from 41 discrete brain nuclei were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). beta-Endorphin was found in the hypothalamus medial preoptic nucleus, nucleus interstitialis striae terminalis (NIST), nucleus medialis thalami, and periaqueductal gray. Met-Enkephalin was found predominantly in the globus pallidus, NIST, medial preoptic nucleus, nucleus amygdaloideus centralis, and nucleus lateralis hypothalami. Treatment with both estrogens and haloperidol led to differential effects on Met-enkephalin content in various brain nuclei. Estrogen treatment increased Met-enkephalin levels in globus pallidus, NIST, medial and lateral preoptic nuclei, and periaqueductal gray, while a decrease of the Met-enkephalin content in the nucleus amygdaloideus centralis was found. Haloperidol treatment led to a stimulatory effect in striatum, medial and lateral preoptic nuclei, and interpeduncular nucleus.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Inhibitory effects of long term treatment with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist on the pituitary-gonadal axis in male and female rats.

Following previous observations of the potent antifertility effects of acute treatment with LHRH or its agonistic analogs in male and female rats, this study describes the effect of long term (up to 12 weeks) treatment with an LHRH agonist, [D-Ala6, des-Gly-NH210]LHRH ethylamide (LHRH-A), on testicular and ovarian gonadotropin receptor levels and function in the rat. Treatment of adult male rats with 100 ng LHRH-A every third day led to a progressive decrease of testis, seminal vesicle, and prostate weight up to 12 weeks of treatment, while the inhibitory effect (70%) on LH receptor levels was already maximal at 1 week. When adult female rats were injected daily with 5 microgram LHRH-A for 12 weeks, ovarian LH, FSH, and PRL receptor levels were reduced 50--90%, while plasma estradiol and progesterone levels were inhibited 60% (compared with diestrus day 1). The effect of chronic administration of a low dose (5 IU) of hCG in the male rat was transient. By contrast, no sign of resistance developed up to 12 weeks of treatment with the LHRH agonist in either male or female animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

[Inhibitory effects of LHRH on LH receptors in the rat testis].

A single injection of LHRH to the adult male rat, as of its analog [D-Ala6, des-Gly-NH102] LHRH ethylamide, resulted in a marked decrease in LH receptors in the tests. Plasma testosterone level and the weight of the seminal vesicles and prostate were also decreased after treatment. These data demonstrate that LHRH can decrease the sensitivity of LH receptors and testicular function in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Evidence for a role of endorphins in stress- and suckling-induced prolactin release in the rat.

Injection of the opiate antagonist naloxone completely prevented the rise of serum prolactin induced by ether stress in intact male rats. Naloxone also led to a 50--95% inhibition of the marked elevation of plasma prolactin levels induced by suckling. These data suggest that endogenous opiates (endorphins) are involved in the stimulation of prolactin release induced by both stress and suckling in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Inhibitory effect of a luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing hormone agonist on rat ovarian LH and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor levels during pregnancy.

When injected at the daily dose of 100 microgram on days 7 through 12 of pregnancy, the luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist [D-Ala6, des-Gly-NH2(10)] LHRH ethylamide led to complete suppression of pregnancy and a 45% to 60% decrease in plasma progesterone concentration. The antifertility effect of the LHRH analog was accompanied by an early and almost complete inhibition of ovarian LH/human chorionic gonadotropin and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor levels. These data suggest that the antifertility effects of LHRH agonists are mediated by down-regulation of ovarian gonadotropin receptors and decreased luteal function.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Inhibition of ovarian luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor levels with an LH-releasing hormone agonist during the estrous cycle in the rat.

A single injection of the luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist [D-Ala6,des-Gly-NH2(10)]LHRH ethylamide to female rats on diestrus I produced a marked reduction in ovarian LH/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor levels, uterine weight, and plasma progesterone levels measured 2 days later on expected proestrus. A maximal inhibitory effect was seen after a dose of only 40 ng of the peptide. No consistent effect of the LHRH analog was seen on ovarian prolactin receptors. When the analog was injected on day 7 of pregnancy, the inhibition of ovarian LH/hCG receptors was of shorter duration and was much less sensitive than that in nonpregnant animals. These data indicate that ovarian LH and FSH receptors levels are highly sensitive to changes in endogenous gonadotropin secretion and suggest that the gonadotropin surge occurring spontaneously on proestrus may play an important role in the regulation of ovarian gonadotropin receptors during the estrous cycle.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Inhibition of spermatogenesis in the rat by treatment with [D-Ala6, Des-Gly-NH210] LHRH ethylamide.

The effect of treatment with a potent LHRH agonist, [D-Ala6, Des-Gly-NH210]LHRH ethylamide, injected at the low dose of 100 ng, twice a week, was evaluated on spermatogenesis in the rat. Significant degenerative changes of seminiferous tubules could be observed after two weeks of treatment. These changes were progressive and led to a marked inhibition of spermatogenesis after four to eight weeks of treatment. Testis weight was decreased to approximately 50% of control after eight weeks of treatment.

Animals↗