Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-immunoreactive neurons were detected in the paraventricular nuclei (PVN) of the rat brain, using both the traditional and the recently developed silver-gold intensified PAP methods at light and electron microscopic levels. The latter technique was more sensitive, compared to the classical PAP method, and proved to be highly specific at the ultrastructural level. The immunolabeled perikarya showed smooth or rough contoured fusiform or multipolar shape. Bilateral surgical destruction of PVN caused a gradual decrease in the number of CRF-immunopositive fibers of the median eminence. Following the second post-operative week, CRF-immunoreactivity practically disappeared from this area. In the case of unilateral lesion of PVN, the diminution of immunoreactivity was restricted to the ipsilateral side of the median eminence-pituitary stalk region. Applying the silver-gold intensified PAP method to electron microscopy, the detection of immuno-labeled degenerating fibers became possible, among morphologically similar, densely degenerating, but unlabeled, profiles. This study reports that CRF fibers to the capillary system of the median eminence of the rat originate principally from PVN.

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PubMedDate not supplied

The role of N-acyl groups in the inhibitory activity of LH-RH analogues.

Inhibitory analogues of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) were prepared with formyl-D-Trp1, acetyl-D-Trp1, valeryl-D-Trp1, tartaryl-D-Trp1, diacetyl-tartaryl-D-Trp1, acetyl-Gly1, and acetyl-Sar1 successively replacing the position one in the analogue [D-Trp1, D-p-Cl-Phe2, D-Trp3, D-Phe6, D-Ala10]-LH-RH. The formyl-D-Trp1 and acetyl-D-Trp1 analogues yielded 100% blockade of ovulation at the 10 micrograms dose; the others were less potent and inhibited ovulation at the 50 micrograms dose. The inhibitory potency seems to correlate with the polarity of the acyl group.

Acylation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of long-term administration of a superactive agonistic and an antagonistic GnRH analog on the pituitary-gonad system.

A powerful GnRH antagonist: [Ac-D-Trp1,3,D-Cpa2,D-Lys6,D-Ala10]-GnRH (MI-1544) and a superactive GnRH agonist: [D-Phe6,desGly10]-GnRH(1-9)EA (OVURELIN) were used in long-term administration to compare their effects on the inhibition of ovulation, LH and progesterone (P) release, LH content of pituitaries as well as on the recovery period. Both analogs showed 100% inhibitory effects on ovulation in very low doses during the daily treatment for 21 days. The antagonist prevented LH release already after the first injection, decreased the serum P level to 40%, and increased the LH content of the pituitary up to 180%, inhibiting only the release but not the synthesis of LH. The agonist showed marked LH-releasing effects on the first day of the treatment, which were reduced to 12% on the 7th day. Serum P concentration was dropped to 68% by the end of the treatment. No change was found in the LH content of pituitaries in the group treated with the agonist. Ovaries showed polifollicular pictures in the antagonist-treated group, and persistent corpora lutea were seen in the ovaries from the agonist-treated group. Regular estrous cycles returned 13-15 days after ceasing the treatment with the antagonist and 3-5 days after ceasing the treatment with the agonist. No edema-inducing effect was observed after the injections of the antagonist in doses of 100 times higher than the single antiovulatory dose.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Recent immunohistological findings on the LH-RH neuron system of the rat.

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Animals↗