Pituitary-testicular interrelationships in mumps orchitis and other viral infections

Leydig-cell function was assessed in 27 men with acute mumps orchitis by measuring plasma testosterone concentrations before and after the administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). The test was also performed on groups of patients with other febrile viral infections and mumps without orchitis and on healthy euspermic men. The concentrations both before and after HCG were significantly lower in patients in the acute phase of mumps—but not in those with other viral infections and mumps without orchitis—than in the healthy men. Basal concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) were significantly increased in patients with acute mumps orchitis, while an exaggerated response to LH-releasing hormone was noted in four patients after the acute phase of the disease. Raised plasma LH concentrations were also found in several patients with viral infections, including mumps without orchitis. There appeared to be no particular merit of any of the treatments used (aspirin, prednisolone, and cold baths). In patients reevaluated three to five and 10 to 12 months after the acute phase of their disease the basal testosterone concentrations were similar to those of the healthy men, but several of the patients showed a severely impaired response to HCG. Mean basal FSH and LH concentrations were significantly increased 10 to 12 months after the acute phase, while the mean LH concentration was also raised at three to five months.It is concluded that mumps orchitis impairs Leydigcell function during the acute phase of the disease but may also have a more permanent damaging effect, similar to that found in the germinal epithelium.     

醋酸棉酚对大鼠睾丸HCG反应性及其受体功能的影响

给大鼠灌服醋酸棉酚30 mg/kg/d,每周6次,持续4周。给药2周后,血浆睾酮水平显著下降并持续至第4周,同时间质细胞呈萎缩性改变。醋酸棉酚明显抑制成年大鼠对HCG反应性,使睾丸LH/HCG受体亲和力下降,受体数目略有减少。结果提示,醋酸棉酚抑制大鼠睾丸酮的产生及降低成年大鼠睾丸对HCG的反应性,推测其机制是由于醋酸棉酚干扰了睾丸HCG受体功能而造成的。     

Effect of luteinizing hormone on RNA synthesis in Leydig cells of immature rats

Luteotrophic hormone acts on testicular interstitial cells, promoting the activation of several cellular events that culminate in steroids synthesis. Since the interstitial tissue include several cell types, purified Leydig cells were used in this work. Isolated interstitial cells from immature rats were purified through a 0-40% metrizamide gradient. Either LH, HCG or Bt2-cAMP significantly stimulated the incorporation of [3H]uridine into RNA, when compared to control. The effect of HCG on RNA synthesis was developed within 30 min after the addition of the hormone and was dose-dependent. The maximum effect was attained with 10 mIU/ml of HCG. These results indicate that HCG/LH or Bt2-cAMP but not FSH, promote an acute stimulation of RNA synthesis by Leydig cells from immature rats.     

Autoradiographic study of the distribution of LH(HCG) receptors in the ovary of untreated and gonadotrophin-primed immature rats

Summary The LH(HCG) receptors in the ovaries of immature rats which were either untreated, or primed with PMSG and HCG, have been studied with a histochemical method which has proved to be as effective as when earlier used in the rat testis. This method, which consists of the topical application of ¹²⁵I-HCG to picric acid-formaldehyde (PAF) fixed frozen sections followed by autoradiography, is also suitable for quantitative studies on the distribution of receptors.In the ovary of the immature 26 days old rat, the LH(HCG) receptors are localized exclusively in the interstitial and thecal tissues.After PMSG treatment many receptors appear in the granulosa of the large antral follicles. These receptors are most numerous in the outer layers of cells and least numerous in the inner. At the same time there are fewer receptors in the thecal and interstitial cells which have undergone the process of luteinization.After PMSG and HCG treatment the newly formed corpora lutea have few receptors, but these become progressively more numerous on subsequent days.It is suggested that, in the rat, the luteinization of the ovarian LH-target cells is associated with an initial decrease in the number of their LH(HCG) receptors.     

Unilateral cryptorchidism with compensatory hypertrophy of descended testicle in prepubertal boys.

5 prepubertal boys with unilateral cryptorchidism and compensatory hypertrophy of the descended testicle, 22 prepubertal boys with unilateral cryptorchidism and without CTH, and 14 prepubertal normal boys were submitted to LH-RH and to HCG tests in order to study the hormonal behaviour in CTH phenomenon before puberty. High but normal peaks of plasma LH and FSH were observed after LH-RH in CTH boys who showed a significant increase of testosterone after HCG stimulation. On the contrary the LH response to LH-RH and the testosterone response to HCG of the boys with unilateral cryptorchidism and without CTH were, as expected, significantly lower than in the control ones.     

The effect of luteinizing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin and adrenocorticotropic hormone on puberty in gilts reared in confinement

Three trials were conducted to determine the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), luteinizing hormone (LH) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) on the incidence of estrus in gilts which were reared in confinement, relocated and exposed to a boar. In trial 1, 33 gilts were given saline or 250 IU HCG at an average age of 191 days and then relocated and observed for estrus twice daily for 10 days. Treatment with HCG did not increase the proportion of gilts that exhibited estrus. In trial 2, 42 gilts were relocated at an average age of 200 days. The gilts were assigned to three treatment groups and injected with saline, 68 mug LH or 1 mg LH. After 10 days of estrous detection, a laparoscopic examination of the ovaries was conducted on all gilts failing to exhibit estrus. In groups 1 to 3, the proportions of gilts exhibiting estrus or ovulating during the 10 days after treatment were 13 of 21, 6 of 10, and 5 of 11, respectively. In trial 3, 12 gilts were relocated to pasture lots, given saline or 80 IU ACTH twice daily for 2 days and checked for estrus for 14 days. The proportions of gilts that exhibited estrus after the administration of saline or ACTH were 4 of 6 and 6 of 6, respectively. The results indicate that the incidence of estrus in gilts reared in confinement, relocated and exposed to a boar was not affected by pre-treatment with exogenous HCG, LH or ACTH.     

Puberty due to ectopic HCG production in a girl with suprasellar ectopic pinealoma associated with panhypopituitarism

A 13.5-year-old girl who developed puberty due to HCG production by suprasellar ectopic pinealoma was reported. This girl appeared to be in a state of precocious puberty at the age of 5 when ectopic pinealoma was first diagnosed. Her breasts started to develop at 13 years of age in spite of hypopituitarism. Plasma LH was found to increase for several months and gave rise to suspicion of the recurrence of the tumor, which was confirmed by the detection of HCG in plasma and CSF. Precocious puberty or puberty can be a characteristic endocrinological manifestation of an HCG producing tumor not only in boys but also in girls. The measurement of plasma HCG (or LH) can be a useful tumor marker in following the clinical course of an HCG producing tumor.     

Hormone response of dairy cows with ovarian cysts after treatment with HCG or GnRH

Twenty lactating Holstein and Guernsey cows, diagnosed by rectal palpation as having ovarian cysts, were randomly divided within breed into two groups to receive either a single intramuscular injection of 100 μg of synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) or an intravenous injection of 10,000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). The objective was to compare hormonal and clinical changes in cows with ovarian cysts following treatment with GnRH and HCG. Eight of ten and nine of ten cows given either GnRH and HCG, respectively, responded to treatment and subsequent fertility was not different between the two groups. Pre-injection plasma levels of LH, progesterone, and estradiol were highly variable. Mean plasma levels of LH, progesterone and estradiol did not differ between groups either following treatment (days 1–17 post-treatment), at the subsequent estrus, or during days 1–13 following the subsequent estrus. Mean LH levels did not differ significantly on the days either post-treatment or post-estrus except that levels were higher (P < .01) at the subsequent estrus as compared to the other days. Mean progesterone levels increased after treatment with either GnRH or HCG and were higher on days 5, 9 and 13 post-estrus and post-treatment as compared to the subsequent estrus. Mean levels of estradiol were higher (P < .05) at the subsequent estrus than any other time post-treatment or post-estrus. No other days were significantly different. In conclusion, GnRH and HCG are effective treatments for ovarian cysts in cattle. Endocrine response on days following treatment are similar for both compounds.     

Sequential changes associated with the degeneration of preovulatory rat follicles.

In 26-day-old rats, follicles capable of ovulation were present 48 h after PMSG injection and they degenerated if not exposed to an ovulating dose of HCG. In such follicles 125I-labelled LH bound to the thecal and granulosa cells. By 60 h after PMSG, LH binding to the granulosa cells was reduced by 46% although these follicles retained their ability to ovulate. LH binding to the granulosa cells was lost in most follicles by 72 h and ovulation could not be induced. The thecal cells still possessed LH binding sites at 72 h after PMSG. HCG stimulation of these follicles resulted in disruption of the granulosa and the invasion of blood cells into the antrum.     

人绒毛膜促性腺激素β亚基酶解片段免疫性研究

 以嗜热菌蛋白酶将人绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG)β亚单位进行酶解,用HPLC分离酶解产物。酶解片段经SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳鉴定口壬二条带。表观分子量分别为7600及20000。对照氨基酸序列分析,前者为近C端30肽(含糖链),为主要片段;后者为近N端片段。将此酶解片段混合物免疫家兔,用完整HCG作测试抗原,抗体滴度达1:204,800(Avidin-Biotin Micro-ELISA法),与促黄体激素(LH)交叉反应甚弱。表明该片段仍保留有完整HCG的主要抗原决定簇,有较强的免疫原性,可望作为免疫避孕疫苗。     

Effects of intrafollicular administration of gonadotropins in two species of nonhuman primates using laparoscopy.

Direct administration of 0.5 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) into the matured ovarian follicles of adult female Saimiri sciureus resulted in ovulation in 45% of the animals treated. When purified ovine luteinizing hormone (LH) was administered, ovulation was observed in 55% of the animals while intrafollicular injection of saline had no effect. Similar injections of HCG into matured follicles of Macaca fascicularis would not cause ovulation but did result in a 55% increase in menstrual cycle length. These results indicate that the necessity of a primate source of LH for inducing ovulation may be due to an extrafollicular mechanism.     

Reproductive hormone secretions in pony mares subsequent to ovulation control during late winter

Beginning in December, pony mares were placed under a schedule of increasing light. Starting in February, onset of estrus was checked by daily teasing with a stallion. Mares were randomly assigned to one of three treatments (6 mares per group) administered in March. Treatments were: Group I — 75 mg progesterone injected intramuscularly every day for 10 days in combination with a 1.25 mg injection of PGF₂α on day 7 of progesterone treatment and a 2,000 IU injection of HCG on day 2 of estrus; Group II — a norgestomet ear implant inserted for 10 days in combination with 1.25 mg PGF₂α given 7 days after insertion and 2,000 IU HCG administered on day 2 of estrus; and Group III — same as II except that 2 mg of GnRH rather than HCG were administered on day 2 of estrus. Blood plasma for radioimmunoassay of progesterone, LH and estradiol was collected from the first day of treatment until 14 days after the end of estrus. Also in March, 6 mares were bled daily from the first day of estrus until subsequent estrus or day 21 (control estrus). Although estrus was detected in all mares, 14 of 18 mares ovulated subsequent to treatments and four of the six control estrus mares ovulated. Only among HCG treated mares was the ovulation rate higher (P < .05) than it was in the control estrus group. The interval from last progesterone injection or norgestomet implant removal to estrus did not differ between treatment groups. Concentrations of estradiol and LH were increased for several days around the time of ovulation and tended to be positively correlated with each other. In the mares that did not ovulate, concentrations of LH and estradiol appeared to be lower than in mares that ovulated. In summary, progestins in combination with PGF₂α and increasing light will synchronize estrus in mares during late winter and HCG will hasten ovulation in some mares.     

Luteinizing hormone,progesterone and the morphological development of normal and superovulated corpora lutea in sheep

The development of granulosa-lutein cells was studied in 27 normal and 32 superovulated ewes between days 0-4(day 0 began with the preovulatory LH peak in normal animals and the HCG injection in superovulated ewes). The pattern of differentiation was similar in both groups. Following initial hormonal stimulation (0-12 hours after LH or HCG), granulosa cells were approximately 100 mu2 and contained small, pleomorphic nuclei with large amounts of clumped chromatin. Elongate cells lining the basement membrane possessed large, heterogeneous dense bodies, and a well-developed Golgi apparatus. Mitotic figures were observed up to 6 hours prior to ovulation. Sixteen to 20 hours following the LH surge or HCG injection, hypertrophy of granulosa cells was evident. Nuclei contained definitive nucleoli. Blood vessels in the theca interna were abundant and highly dilated. Ovulation occurred approximately 24 hours after the LH peak or HCG injection. Visible signs of luteinization were evident 6-12 hours after ovulation. A slight increase in serum progesterone levels was detected. The second post-ovulatory day was characterized by continuing hypertrophy of granulosa cells and extensive proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Nuclei of granulosa cells were larger and possessed extremely large nucleoli. Numerous mitotic figures were apparent within the corpus luteum. Serum progesterone concentrations began increasing at 60-72 hours after hormone stimulation. By the end of the third post-ovulatory day, the corpus luteum consisted of large, pleomorphic, parenchymal cells, interspersed between capillaries and connective tissue elements. Only an occasional mitotic figure was apparent within the corpus luteum at 100 hours. Light microscopic autoradiography of 5, 10, and 15 day corpora lutea taken from ewes pulsed with 3H thymidine at specific times before and after ovulation revealed that granulosa cells did not undergo secondary mitoses following ovulation. In contrast, thecal, mesenchymal and endothelial cells did mitose on day 3.     

双单抗的免疫层析一步法用于早妊诊断的研究

在试管式、微孔式和斑点式的酶免测定法测定人绒毛膜促性腺激素（ＨＣＧ）的基础上,发展了应用双单克隆抗体的免疫层析一步法测定ＨＣＧ。此法用胶体金标记抗βＨＣＧ单克隆抗体,将抗αＨＣＧ单克隆抗体包被在硝酸纤维素膜上。无需分离步骤,特别是在进行测定时除加入样品外无需再加任何试剂,此方法特别迅速、简便,２～５ｍｉｎ即可得结果。凡ＨＣＧ浓度＞２５ＩＵ／Ｌ的样品可得到阳性结果。在人体血或尿中可能出现的高浓度的干扰物质,如抗坏血酸、乙酰水杨酸、雌二醇、蛋白质、胆红素、甘油三酯等对本测定均无干扰作用,在促黄体激素（ＬＨ）浓度高达５００ＩＵ／Ｌ时仍与ＨＣＧ没有交叉反应。能进行测定的最高值大于３００ＩＵ／ｍｌ,这表示,当ＨＣＧ浓度达到妊娠期的最高值时仍不会有假阴性结果。     

Testosterone production by ovarian follicles of the domestic cat (Felis catus).

In order to determine whether the ovarian follicles of the domestic cat which normally ovulates following copulation, were similar to those of the rabbit steroidogenically, the following experiments were carried out. Follicles were dissected out of ovaries from nine estrous cats throughout the year and incubated in medium alone or with luteinizing hormone (LH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Media were removed every 15 min and stored frozen until analyzed for testosterone using established radioimmunoassay procedures. Although LH and HCG caused slight increases in testosterone production the amounts produced were much less than that produced by rabbit follicles under identical conditions. However, when follicles were incubated for a total of 8 h without removal of media, marked changes in testosterone and estradiol production occurred. These data suggest that the ovarian follicles of the estrous cat are steroidogenically active.     

Interaction of thyrotropin (TSH) and gonadotropins in the function of genital organs I. Investigations in the frog

Earlier data indicate that TSH, which has a structure similar to that of gonadotropins, is able to evoke ejaculation in the frog (Galli-Mainini reaction). The present experiments provide evidence that TSH, in a dose that by itself is ineffective, is able to potentiate the effect of HCG. This action of TSH is more pronounced if the drug is administered prior to HCG; it is less evident upon simultaneous administration. Since FSH + LH has similar effects the experiments provide further evidence for the concept that TSH acts like gonadotropin in this system.     

Effects of age and luteinizing hormone antiserum on human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated testosterone secretion in young male rats

The steroidogenic capacity of young male rats of different ages was studied. Two days prior to sacrifice at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days of age, the rats in treatment groups were given intramuscularly either human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) at 20 I.U. twice daily/rat or luteinizing hormone (LH) antiserum (AS) at 0.25 ml twice daily/rat. Either saline or normal sheep serum (NSS) was given to control rats. The serum and testicular testosterone concentrations in the control rats averaged 0.85 +/- 0.03 ng/ml and 1.35 +/- 0.06 ng/mg testicular protein, respectively. At day-15 the serum and testicular testosterone concentrations in the HCG-treated rats had significantly increased to 9.30 +/- 0.85 ng/ml and 11.92 ng/mg of testicular protein, respectively. At the same age, the HCG-induced higher levels of serum and testicular testosterone concentrations were significantly reduced to 2.80 +/- 0.70 ng/ml and 6.02 +/- 1.00 ng/mg protein by concomitant administration of LH/AS and HCG. Our results suggest that the testosterone production in response to HCG stimulation is age-related. It was also determined that neutralization of circulating gonadotropin in LH/AS-treated rats decreased the sensitivity of Leydig cells to gonadotropin stimulation. This in vivo model should provide an excellent opportunity for the investigation of the testicular function in developing young males.     

Hyperprolactinemia enhances LH-stimulated 4-ene-5 alpha-reductase activity but inhibits LH-induced 17-hydroxylase activity in testes of hypophysectomized immature rats

Two pituitaries from 7-week old female rats (Sprague-Dawley strain) were grafted under the capsule of the left kidney of 21-day old male rat. The pituitary grafted and sham-operated rats were hypophysectomized at 27 days of age. The hypophysectomized rats, in groups of 4, were given daily injections of 9 micrograms NIAMDD-oLH-23 (minimum effective dose) or saline for 3 days starting from day 29. Testicular homogenates were incubated with [3H]progesterone or [14C]4-androstene-3,17-dione, and enzyme activities per testes were estimated. Testicular HCG-binding sites were also measured. Hypophysectomy caused significant decreases in activities of testicular 5 alpha-reductase, 17-hydroxylase, and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase. These decreased enzyme activities were significantly stimulated by LH treatment. Although pituitary grafts alone showed no effects on these enzyme activities in the testes of the hypophysectomized rats, the grafts significantly enhanced LH-stimulated 5 alpha-reductase activities but inhibited LH-stimulated 17-hydroxylase activity. Testicular LH/HCG receptors were significantly increased by the grafts, especially in the presence of LH, without affecting affinity for HCG. The present results demonstrate for the first time that hyperprolactinemia directly stimulates LH-stimulated 5 alpha-reductase activity in rat testes. The results also show that the same grafts directly inhibit LH-stimulated 17-hydroxylase activity, probably via postreceptor mechanisms.     

LH与hCG对昆明小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

目的研究促黄体素（LH）、人绒毛膜促性腺激素（hCG）对昆明小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟的影响。方法小鼠经注射孕马血清促性腺激素（PMSG）48h后,摘取卵巢获得未成熟卵母细胞,分别在含不同浓度的LH和hCG的成熟液中,或将LH和hCG以不同的浓度组合加入到成熟液,进行体外成熟。结果经15.16h的成熟培养,5个浓度LH组中的极体率均高于对照组,其中200IU/mL组显著高于50IU/mL、400IU/mL、300IU/mL组和对照组（P〈0.05）;5个浓度hCG组的极体率与对照组极体率无显著差异（P〉0.05）;协同组中15IU/mL hCG＋200IU/mL LH组的极体率显著高于对照组和其它各处理组。结论LH对小鼠卵母细胞的体外成熟有一定的促进作用。     

Hormonal Steroids Indirectly Influence Insulin Binding in Rat Testis

Abstract

Pituitary LH is a key factor in controlling Leydig cell activity. In order to verify how steroids produced by the male gonads could influence testicular insulin binding, different steroids at varying doses were administered. Testosterone propionate (Tp) as well as estradiol-17β (E₂-17β) and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) led to a 50% decrease of insulin binding in testis while no effect was noted when HCG was administered concomitantly with DHT. LH receptors were parallely measured: DHT and E₂ -17β significantly depressed testis LH binding. It is concluded that steroids play a role in the regulation of testis membrane insulin receptor via their feedback mechanism on pituitary LH.