THE EFFECT OF MATING ON PITUITARY LUTEINIZING HORMONE AND THYROTROPHIC HORMONE CONTENT IN THE FEMALE RABBIT

Abstract

SUMMARY: The anterior pituitary content of luteinizing hormone (LH) was greatly reduced 4 hr. after mating in female rabbits; thyrotrophic hormone content was slightly but not significantly reduced. At 24 hr. after mating LH levels were higher than those at 4 hr. but still significantly below control levels; thyrotrophic hormone content was significantly reduced at this time. Since no evidence is available of an increase in thyrotrophic hormone secretion after mating (see Brown-Grant, 1968) it is concluded that the neuroendocrine events concerned in the release of LH in response to coitus in this species also result in a decrease in the synthesis of thyrotrophic hormone.