RESPONSE OF VITAMIN B6-DEFICIENT RATS TO HYPOPHYSEAL FOLLICLE-STIMULATING AND INTERSTITIAL-CELL-STIMULATING HORMONES1

Abstract

The response of vitamin B6-deficient rats to varying amounts of FSH and ICSH was determined and compared with that of hypophysectomized adult rats. The adult hypophysectomized rats required twice the amount of FSH for stimulation of growth follicles and for increased uterine weights as was required by the immature hypophysectomized rats used to standardize the hormone preparation. Eight times the amount of FSH effective in hypophysectomized adult rats was required to stimulate follicular growth in the ovaries of vitamin Bg-deficient animals. Estrin production in Bg-deficient rats, as judged by increased uterine weights, required two to four times as much FSH as in hypophysectomized animals of the same body weight. Repair of the atrophic interstitial tissue was obtained in Bg-deficient animals when approximately twice the dose level of ICSH effective in either immature or adult hypophysectomized rats was given.