EFFECT OF HYPOTHALAMIC RELEASING FACTORS AND STEROIDS ON RELEASE OF GONADOTROPHINS BY ORGAN CULTURES OF HUMAN FOETAL PITUITARIES

Abstract

SUMMARY Release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from organ cultures of human foetal pituitaries was stimulated by ovine hypothalamic extract (OHE), synthetic gonadotrophic hormone releasing factor and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. In each case, LH release was greater than that of FSH. Synthetic gonadotrophic hormone releasing factor produced an increase in the total FSH and LH content of the cultures. Oestradiol-17β stimulated release of FSH but not LH. Testosterone, progesterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone were without effect on hormone release. Chronic exposure of cultures to progesterone prevented stimulation of hormone release by OHE. Long-term contact with oestradiol-17β did not modify tissue sensitivity to OHE.