FURTHER STUDIES ON ANTIGONADOTROPHIN FORMATION FOLLOWING GONADOTROPHIC HORMONE ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

Antigonadotrophin formation against a combination of sheep ant. pituitary extract and human chorionic gonadotrophin (Synapoidin) could be induced more rapidly by the subcut. route than by the intraven. route of admn. These inhibitory substances generally disappear within 20-40 days. Antigonadotrophins form more rapidly and persist for a greater length of time following hormone admn. in a reinjection series. Reduction of gonadotrophic potency by standing at room temp. for 17 mos. did not decrease the ability of the extract to elicit anti-hormone formation. The antigonadotrophic serum was active against Synapoidin, equine gonadotrophin and human chorionic gonadotrophin in [male] and [female] rats. in addition, human pituitary and [male] rat pituitary extracts were inhibited in [female] rats but the rat pituitary was not antagonized in [male] test animals. The extract with reduced gonadotrophic activity due to aging excited the same non-specific inhibitory serum. The development of the reproductive system of the immature [male] mouse was markedly retarded by injecting the antigonadotrophins.