Peripheral plasma concentrations of LH, FSH, prolactin and GH from birth to puberty in male and female mice

Abstract

Circulating concentrations of plasma LH [luteinizing hormone, lutropin], FSH [follicle stimulating hormone, follitropin], prolactin and GH [growth hormone] in male and female mice were measured twice daily (1200 and 2400 h) by radioimmunoassay from birth to puberty. FSH concentrations in females were higher than in males from birth to .apprx. 16 days of age, then values in males rose while those in females fell. Prolactin levels in both sexes were low then increased slightly towards puberty with midnight levels being higher in the males and lower in the females. LH concentrations were relatively low in both sexes until Days 7-8 of age then showed distinct fluctuations. The fluctuations of GH in both sexes seemed to correspond to fluctuations in LH.