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W Vale

Publications and source records attributed to W Vale.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Ontogeny of the stress response in the rat: role of the pituitary and the hypothalamus.

The neonatal rat shows a period of decreased responsiveness to noxious stimuli during the first 3 weeks of life, but the nature of this impairment is still controversial. To test the functionality of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis during this period, we studied pituitary and adrenal responsiveness to exogenous ovine CRF and the ability of various stressors (ether vapors, electroshocks, and hypoxia) to elicit ACTH and corticosterone secretion. We also measured hypothalamic CRF content and pituitary ACTH content as well as CRF-binding sites in the anterior pituitary. From days 3-10, small elevations in plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels were observed after a 3-min exposure to ether vapors or electroshocks. In contrast, during this period, a 20-min exposure to hypoxia (5% O2 in N2) was unable to trigger measurable ACTH secretion, while corticosterone was significantly elevated. From days 14-21, plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels increased significantly after exposure to ether stress, hypoxia, and, to a lesser extent, electroshocks. By contrast, administration of urethane (1.2 g/kg BW) caused a significant increase in ACTH secretion on days 3, 5, and 10, an effect that was partially suppressed by pretreatment with an anti-CRF serum. This suggests that endogenous CRF can be released by at least some stimuli as early as day 3. Direct stimulation of the pituitary with synthetic oCRF (10 micrograms/kg BW) caused significant elevations in plasma ACTH levels at all ages tested (days 3 through 21), though these increases were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) smaller on day 3 (2.7-fold) than on day 21 (4.3-fold). Hypothalamic CRF content as well as ACTH content increased gradually with age, but the values reached by the third week of life were still low compared to the values on day 45. Finally, anterior pituitary CRF-binding sites averaged 317 +/- 48 fmol/mg protein on day 5 and 158 +/- 22 fmol/mg protein on day 17. The affinity (Kd) of the receptor for CRF was not significantly different on day 5, 17, or 45. These results show that although pituitary corticotrophs appear to be functional at birth, exposure to stress does not elicit marked increases in plasma ACTH until day 14 of age.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1986

Desensitization to growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) is associated with down-regulation of GRF-binding sites.

The time course, concentration dependence, and mechanism of rat anterior pituitary desensitization to GRF were studied. Chronic stimulation of cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells with rat GRF (rGRF) resulted in desensitization to a subsequent challenge with the peptide. Despite a slight enhancement of GH synthesis, prolonged exposure to GRF caused substantial depletion of cellular GH pools. As a result, acute secretory responses were markedly blunted. Depletion was accompanied by a time-dependent decrease in sensitivity to rGRF; GRF EC50 values for GH release of 0.5 nM rGRF-pretreated cells were 24.8 +/- 6 (+/- SEM) pM after 2 h, 46.2 +/- 2.4 pM after 4 h, and 154.7 +/- 31 pM after 8 h compared to 9.2 +/- 0.6 pM for control cells. The process of desensitization was complete within 8 h, as cells pretreated for 24 h exhibited sensitivity to rGRF comparable to that of cells pretreated for 8 h. Desensitization was associated with a time-dependent decrease in rat anterior pituitary cell GRF-binding capacity; a 48% loss of binding sites was evident after a 2-h pretreatment with 0.5 nM rGRF, with a maximum loss occurring after 8 h. The dose of rGRF required to produce an attenuation of responsiveness did not completely correlate with the dose requirement for down-regulation of binding sites. The decrease in GRF-binding sites was not associated with any alteration of apparent Kd values, which were 0.36 (0.18-0.72) nM in control and 0.1 (0.01-0.82) nM after 8 h of exposure to 0.5 nM rGRF. Both the reduction in GRF-binding capacity and decreased sensitivity to GRF were reversible after 24 h, although cellular GH pools were not restored to control levels. These results suggest that rat anterior pituitary cells become desensitized to rGRF after chronic stimulation with a maximal concentration of the peptide. One mechanism for this decrease in apparent sensitivity to rGRF may be the pronounced reduction or down-regulation of GRF-binding sites.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1986

Identification of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) target cells and effects of dexamethasone on binding in anterior pituitary using a fluorescent analog of CRF.

A fluorescein-conjugated bioactive analog of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) was synthesized and used to label cells that have high affinity CRF-binding sites. Of cultured bovine anterior pituitary cells, 6.1 +/- 0.6% were visible by fluorescence microscopy after incubation with the analog. Fluorescence was eliminated by coincubation with a 200-fold excess of unlabeled CRF. Treatment with dexamethasone (10(-9)-10(-7) M) decreased visible fluorescence in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrate the utility of a fluorescent CRF analog for identification of cells with specific CRF-binding sites and suggest that binding of CRF to anterior pituitary cells is altered by glucocorticoids.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1986

Opioids act centrally to modulate stress-induced decrease in luteinizing hormone in the rat.

Because endogenous opioid peptides (EOP) and CRF are activated during stress and decrease LH levels when injected centrally, we have explored the roles of these peptides in the stress-induced inhibition of LH secretion. Three opioid peptide systems [i.e. endorphin (END), enkephalin, dynorphin (DYN)], are present in the hypothalamus, acting on different opiate receptor subtypes (i.e. mu, delta, kappa). We first evaluated which EOP might be involved in the stress-induced decrease of LH levels. Immunoneutralization of EOP and pharmacological blockade of opiate receptors were used to reverse the decrease in LH induced by inescapable intermittent footshock in castrated male rats. Anti-beta-END and anti-DYN-A serum (intracerebroventricularly [icv]) or pretreatment with beta-END antagonist, beta-human END-(6-31) (2 and 5 nmol, icv), or with kappa-antagonists, Mr1452 MS and Mr2266 BS (10 mg/kg BW, ip), reversed electroshock-induced decrease in LH concentrations. beta-funaltrexamine (beta-FNA), an irreversible mu 1-opiate receptor antagonist, was partially effective in blocking the inhibitory effect of stress on LH levels. Neither passive immunization with anti-enkephalin nor the pretreatment with the delta-opiate receptor antagonist, ICI 154,129, (10 and 100 nmol, icv) modified the effect of stress. We then evaluated which endogenous opioid ligands and/or receptors might mediate the inhibitory effect on LH levels of 2 nmol ovine CRF injected icv. Anti-beta-END serum and beta-human END-(6-31), reversed the CRF-induced decrease of LH concentrations, whereas beta-FNA was only partially active. Anti-DYN-A and anti-ENK serum, kappa- and delta-antagonists did not prevent the decline of LH levels in rats receiving CRF centrally. These data suggest that stress-induced inhibition of LH secretion involves the stimulation of beta-END and DYN-A systems via mu/epsilon- or kappa-opiate receptors and that the decrease in circulating LH levels induced by centrally administered CRF may be mediated by the activation of beta-END system. Therefore, it is possible that the activation of the central CRF/beta-END pathway may play an important role in the stress-induced inhibition of reproductive functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Hormonal regulation of granulosa cell inhibin biosynthesis.

The hormonal regulation of inhibin production by cultured granulosa cells from immature hypophysectomized, estrogen-treated rats was examined using a specific RIA which detects the N-terminal portion of the inhibin alpha-chain. The RIA measured bioactive inhibin of Mr about 32,000 in granulosa cell conditioned media fractionated by fast protein liquid chromatography. In the presence of 10(-7) M androstenedione, FSH stimulated inhibin production in a dose-dependent manner during a 2-day culture. Inclusion of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor decreased the EC50 for FSH from 2.6 to 0.8 ng/ml (n = 3). The stimulatory effect of FSH could be mimicked with forskolin (an adenyl cyclase activator) and with a cAMP analog, (Bu)2cAMP, consistent with FSH action mediated through a cAMP dependent pathway. Intracellular levels of inhibin were unmeasureable, suggesting that inhibin is not stored to any great extent by the granulosa cells. This finding was consistent with in vivo studies which showed that whereas FSH treatment for 2 days doubled serum inhibin levels when compared with basal levels, there was no increase in the concentration of extractable inhibin in ovarian tissue. Granulosa cells which had been exposed to 20 ng/ml FSH for 2 days to induce LH receptors produced inhibin in response to both LH and human CG during the subsequent 2-day culture, with the levels of inhibin equalling the amount inducible by FSH. In contrast, neither PRL nor terbutaline, a beta 2-adrenergic agonist, had any effect on inhibin production even though receptors for these hormones are also induced by FSH. GnRH was found to inhibit the FSH-stimulated production of inhibin (IC50, 10(-7) M), consistent with previous observations that GnRH can act at the ovarian level to inhibit granulosa cell differentiation. This inhibition by GnRH could be reversed by inclusion of a specific GnRH antagonist. On the other hand, another regulatory peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, slightly stimulated inhibin production. The effect of several growth factors was also tested. Insulin-like growth factor I raised not only FSH-stimulated inhibin levels, but basal levels as well. Insulin was also effective, but only at 100-fold higher concentration. Epidermal growth factor inhibited FSH-stimulated inhibin production (IC50 = 0.1 ng/ml), whereas fibroblast growth factor had no effect. Thus, granulosa cell inhibin secretion is regulated by FSH and LH but not by PRL, presumably via a cAMP-mediated pathway.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Dual effects of growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone infusion in normal men: somatotroph desensitization and increase in releasable GH.

Continuous infusion of human GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulates GH secretion in normal subjects, but a single supramaximal iv dose of GHRH thereafter elicits a diminished serum GH response compared to that after a saline infusion; the response to the single dose challenge is inversely related to the dose of GHRH previously infused. To determine if this attenuated GH response is a result of depletion of available GH or desensitization of the somatotroph, a 6-h infusion of saline or GHRH (10 ng/kg . min) was administered to 10 normal men, and an iv bolus dose of either GHRH (3.3 micrograms/kg) or regular insulin (0.15 U/kg) was given after 5.5 h of infusion. On both days of GHRH infusion, there was significant stimulation of GH secretion compared to that after saline infusion. The GH response to the supramaximal dose of GHRH was greater after saline infusion than after GHRH infusion, and the GH response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia was significantly greater after GHRH infusion compared with the responses on the other 3 study days. The greatest GH secretion occurred during GHRH infusion followed by insulin administration; therefore, pituitary reserve was not decreased by prior exposure to GHRH. These studies suggest that somatotrophs become partially refractory to GHRH stimulation over time, but remain responsive to an alternate stimulus of GH secretion. We suggest that the hypoglycemia-induced GH response occurs via a reduction in hypothalamic somatostatin secretion, and the attenuated GH response to the supramaximal GHRH dose after GHRH infusion probably represents either partial desensitization or down-regulation of the GHRH receptor.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The dependency of folliculogenesis and corpus luteum function on pulsatile gonadotropin secretion in cycling women using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist as a probe.

A potent GnRH antagonist, [Ac-delta 3-Pro1,p-F-D-Phe2,D-Trp3,6]GnRH (4F-Antag), was used as a probe to determine the relative dependency of ovarian cyclicity on pulsatile gonadotropin secretion. 4F-Antag was administered in a dose of 80 micrograms/kg sc twice a day for 3 consecutive days during different phases of the menstrual cycle. This treatment resulted in a prompt attenuation of pulsatile gonadotropin secretion in all women studied. Maximal suppression of gonadotropin levels, expressed as percent change from baseline, averaged 48% for LH and 22% for FSH. The reduced pulsatile gonadotropin release induced by 4F-Antag administration during the early follicular phase resulted in a significant decrease in serum estradiol levels during the period of treatment and was followed by a prolongation of follicular phase (2.4 days) and cycle length (3.5 days), but no alteration of subsequent cyclic ovarian steroid profiles compared to control cycles. Treatment initiated during the midfollicular phase 4-6 days before the expected LH surge resulted in a more dramatic decline in serum estradiol levels and prolongation of follicular phase length by 5-6 days compared to control cycles. Normal luteal function was preserved. These alterations were compatible with induction of the demise of the dominant follicle followed by the reinitiation of follicular recruitment. Administration of 4F-Antag during the midluteal phase resulted in rapid falls in serum estradiol and progesterone levels and the onset of menstrual bleeding in all women. The luteolytic effect of 4F-Antag was completely negated by the administration of hCG. These data indicate that 4F-Antag interferes with ongoing cyclic ovarian function by reducing pulsatile gonadotropin stimulation, which disrupts folliculogenic processes and induces the demise of the corpus luteum. From these findings we infer that the functional integrity of ovarian cyclicity is remarkably sensitive to brief (3 days) and partial reduction in pulsatile gonadotropin secretion.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Single subcutaneous doses of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist suppress serum gonadotropin and testosterone levels in normal men.

The ability of single doses of a LHRH antagonist [Ac-delta 3Pro1, 4F-D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6]LHRH (4F-antagonist) to suppress serum gonadotropin and testosterone levels was studied in six normal men. The 4F-antagonist was given sc at four doses: 40, 80, 160, and 320 micrograms/kg body weight. Serum immunoreactive LH, FSH, and testosterone and bioactive LH were measured at intervals for the subsequent 18 h. Serum LH decreased rapidly by (mean +/- SE) 39.7 +/- 2.7%, 41.6 +/- 5.4%, 45.5 +/- 4.7%, and 45.3 +/- 5.4% after each of the four doses. The mean number of LH pulses and their amplitude decreased after each dose and remained suppressed for at least 6 h. After each of the four doses, mean serum FSH levels decreased by 20.0 +/- 4.1%, 33.8 +/- 6.8%, 25.8 +/- 3.6%, and 33.3 +/- 5.7%, and mean serum testosterone levels decreased by 47.7 +/- 7.3%, 55.6 +/- 10.5%, 58.2 +/- 10.8%, and 76.0 +/- 6.0%. Serum testosterone remained low for at least 18 h after the two higher doses. LH bioactivity and the ratio of bioactive LH to immunoreactive LH decreased in all subjects, especially after higher doses of the 4F-antagonist. No side effects or adverse reactions occurred after 4F-antagonist administration, and toxicology studies were negative. These results demonstrate that a single sc injection of this potent LHRH antagonist inhibits the pituitary-gonadal axis in normal men.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Growth hormone releasing factor and somatomedin C production: extrahypothalamic localization and possible functional significance.

Growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) is found in the highest concentration (albeit lower compared to other hypothalamic regulatory hormones) in the hypothalamus. There is mounting evidence that GRF-like immunoreactivity is found in other sites in the CNS and in the periphery. The role of GRF, other than to stimulate growth hormone secretion by the somatotroph, is unknown. In addition generation of IGF-1 in response to GRF appears to be dependent on an intact pituitary.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Stimulation of in-vivo growth hormone secretion in young chickens by rat hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing factor and synthetic analogues.

Rat hypothalamic GH-releasing factor (rhGRF), at doses between 0.1 and 10 micrograms/kg, increased plasma GH concentrations in immature domestic fowl 5-10 min after i.v. injection. Sodium pentobarbitone anaesthesia blunted the GH responses to rhGRF, although in both conscious and anaesthetized chicks the maximal responses were induced by a dose of 1 microgram rhGRF/kg. The stimulatory effect of rhGRF on in-vivo GH secretion was less than that provoked by corresponding doses of human pancreatic GRF, but greater than that elicited by two rhGRF analogues, (Nle27)-rhGRF(1-32) and (Nle27)-rhGRF(1-29). These results demonstrate that the chicken pituitary is responsive to mammalian GRF and provide evidence of structure-activity relationships of GRF in the domestic fowl.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effect of long-term infusion of ovine corticotrophin-releasing factor in the immature ovine fetus.

Synthetic ovine corticotrophin-releasing factor (oCRF) was infused continuously into the jugular veins of six ovine fetuses for 5-11 days. Two fetuses receiving 0.1 and 1.0 microgram oCRF/h from gestational days 134 and 135 respectively, lambed prematurely on days 141 and 140 respectively. Three out of four fetuses receiving oCRF at 2.4 micrograms/h, from 125 days of gestation, delivered spontaneously at 131, 131 and 136 days, whilst one died in utero at 132 days. Two fetuses receiving vehicle only or oCRF intra-amniotically, were born at 148 and 145 days respectively, whilst six fetuses chronically cannulated but not infused were born at 149.8 +/- 2.1 (S.D.) days. In ewes lambing at term, maternal plasma progesterone concentrations were 41.4 +/- 11.4 (S.E.M.; n = 5), 28.8 +/- 7.8 (n = 6), 17.1 +/- 4.8 (n = 5) and 7.9 +/- 1.1 (n = 4) nmol/l on 3, 2, 1 and 0 days respectively before the lambs were born. No such decrease in maternal plasma progesterone concentrations was seen in the oCRF-infused fetuses. Fetal plasma concentrations of immunoreactive ACTH were maintained above normal in oCRF-infused fetuses, but some desensitization to bolus oCRF injections occurred in these fetuses. Four of the five fetuses born prematurely were sufficiently mature to survive, being able to stand, breathe and suckle. It is concluded that continuous oCRF infusions into immature fetuses can accelerate maturation of a number of organs and systems culminating in the premature delivery of viable lambs.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1986

Modulation of brain NMDA receptors: common mechanism of sigma/PCP receptors and their exogenous and endogenous ligands.

Quantitative autoradiographic distribution patterns of sigma/PCP and NMDA receptors show striking similarities but not in all brain areas. We have identified an endogenous ligand of brain PCP receptors which noncompetitively antagonizes NMDA-induced neurotransmitter release from brain slices. These data support the concept that the sigma/PCP receptor ligands may exert their unique behavioral effects by indirect modulation of NMDA-mediated transmission.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1986

beta-Endorphin modulates the inhibitory action of corticotropin-releasing factor on luteinizing hormone secretion.

The present study investigates the possible role of endogenous opioid peptides in mediating the inhibitory effect of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on circulating luteinizing hormone (LH). The central injection of an antiserum against beta-endorphin (beta-END) reversed CRF-induced LH decrease in castrated male rats, while antisera raised against DYN-A or M-Enk were inactive. beta-END-(6-31) (2 nmole, icv), a beta-END antagonist, and beta-funaltrexamine (4.8 nmole, icv), a mu 1 opiate receptor antagonist, also reversed the effect of CRF on LH. Either kappa (Mr 1456 and Mr 2266) (10 mg/kg, ip), or delta (ICI 154,129) (10 nmole, icv) opiate receptor antagonists did not significantly modify the inhibitory effect of CRF on circulating LH levels. These results suggest that central beta-END participates in the inhibitory action of CRF on LH secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Inhibition of estradiol-induced gonadotropin release in ovariectomized rhesus macaques by a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.

Six adult ovariectomized rhesus macaques were given a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist [Ac-beta-(2)DNAL,pFDPhe,DTrp,DArg]-GnRH, by intravenous infusion for 3 to 3.5 days to determine whether the positive feedback action of estradiol benzoate (E2B) on pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion could be inhibited by blockage of GnRH binding to pituitary gonadotropes. The LH release was suppressed when the antagonist was given either as a bolus injection every 6 hours or as a constant infusion, beginning 24 hours after the E2B was administered. Both LH release and follicle-stimulating hormone release were suppressed if the GnRH antagonist infusion began when the E2B was administered. The results suggest that continued hypothalamic GnRH stimulation of the pituitary is necessary for the full expression of the preovulatory-like gonadotropin surge that occurs in ovariectomized macaques in response to E2.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Purification and partial characterization of inhibin from porcine follicular fluid.

Inhibin, a protein of gonadal origin that suppresses the basal secretion of follicle stimulating hormone by anterior pituitary cells has been purified from porcine follicular fluid. Using several RP-HPLC steps and gel filtration under denaturing conditions, we obtained a fraction approximately ten thousand fold purified which showed one band on SDS PAGE and in the same experiment two bands after reduction (MW ca 14K and ca 18K) suggesting a molecular weight of 32K for inhibin. Edman degradation of isolated inhibin and carboxymethylated chain A indicated that the first 6 residues were H-Ser-Thr-Ala-Pro-Leu-Pro-; by subtraction, the first 3 residues of chain B could be deduced to be H-Gly-Leu-Glu-. EC50 was ca 0.3 ng/ml or 10 pM in our in vitro pituitary cell culture assay. Antibodies to residues 1-6 were raised which could immunoneutralize purified inhibin activity in an in vitro assay.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Binding sites for calcitonin gene-related peptide in distinct areas of rat brain.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) binding sites were localized in rat brain and spinal cord by an in vitro labeling light microscopic technique using [125I]rCGRP as radioligand. Specific rCGRP binding with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.53 nM to membrane preparations from rat brain cortex was characterized. The presence and the selective distribution of specific high affinity CGRP binding sites in the central nervous system suggest a role for this recently predicted peptide as a neurotransmitter.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Patterns of growth hormone-releasing factor and somatostatin secretion into the hypophysial-portal circulation of the rat.

The interrelation between the secretion of two hypophysiotropic peptides, growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) and somatostatin (SRIF), in the generation of episodic growth hormone (GH) secretion was inferred from direct measurements of immunoreactive GRF and immunoreactive SRIF concentrations in the hypophysial-portal plasma of the rat. Secretion of immunoreactive GRF was found to be episodic, with maximal concentrations present during periods of expected GH secretory episodes. Secretion of immunoreactive GRF was accompanied by a moderate reduction in portal plasma levels of immunoreactive SRIF. Passive immunoneutralization of SRIF was associated with increased concentrations of immunoreactive GRF in hypophysial-portal plasma. On the basis of these observations, it appears that each GH secretory episode is initiated by pulsatile secretion of immunoreactive GRF into the portal circulation, which is preceded by or is concurrent with a moderate reduction of inhibitory tone provided by portal immunoreactive SRIF. These experiments provide direct insights into central and adenohypophysial mechanisms by which GRF and SRIF interact to generate episodic secretion of GH.

Animals↗