THE DIFFERENTIAL ACTION OF PITUITARY GONADOTROPIC HORMONES UPON THE SECRETORY CAPACITY OF THE GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE AND CORPUS LUTEUM

Abstract

Administration of follicle stimulating pituitary extracts (F.S.H.) to juvenile rabbits apparently stimulated oestrin secretion alone, while luteinizing extracts (L.H.) developed solidly luteinized ovaries and pseudopregnant uteri which would not react to pituitrin. Mixtures of the 2 hormones gave motility responses ranging between the typical oestrous uterus with F.S.H. and small amts. of L.H., and the pseudopregnant uterus without spontaneous motility or pituitrin sensitivity which was the response to high concs, of L.H. Artificial pseudopregnancy following exptl. ovulation lasted 13 to 14 days, but F.S.H. treatment shortened this period to 6 days and L.H. treatment to 9 days. The F.S.H. acted through oestrin secretion and inhibition or luteinization, while L.H. caused vacuolar degeneration of lutein tissue. Adult mated does treated with F.S.H. and L.H. extracts as above failed to implant, and progestational changes lasted 2-13 days only.