Pituitary Gonadotropin Content of Aspermatogenic Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Adenohypophyses from normal and aspermatogenic (ASP) guinea pigs were assayed for FSH (modified Steelman-Pohley assay) and for LH (OAAD assay) content. FSH content of adenohypophyses from normal guinea pigs was 0.38 times FSH content of adenohypophyses from ASP guinea pigs. Relative to NIH-FSH-S3 there was 40 and 108 μg of FSH per gland, respectively. There was no significant difference in luteinizing hormone content between adenohypophyses from normal and ASP guinea pigs. Relative to Armour's LH preparation, there is approximately 5 μg equivalents of LH per adenohypophysis. The increased pituitary content of FSH in the ASP guinea pig is compatible with the thesis that FSH production is affected, either directly or indirectly, by a feedback mechanism associated with tubular elements.