CHANGES IN HORMONE CONTENT OF THE FEMALE RABBIT HYPOPHYSIS AFTER MATING

Abstract

Changes in hormone content of the [female] rabbit hypophysis after mating were studied by implantation of hypophyses from recently mated rabbits into immature [female] guinea pigs. Glands obtained from rabbits 4-48 hrs. after mating produced less follicle maturation and less luteinization in the ovaries of the test animals than did those from normal [female] rabbits of the same age. Glands obtained 24 and 28 hrs. after mating produced less stimulation of the thyroid as seen in microscopic section and less stimulation of the adrenal as measured by wt. increase than did those from normal [female] rabbits. These differences indicate that follicle stimulating, luteiniz-ing, thyrotrophic and perhaps adrenal stimulating hormones are released from the [female] rabbit hypophysis after mating.