Abstract
The ICSH-content was determined in the pituitary glands of 24 adult male roe-deers as well as in 22 adult and 15 juvenile male red-deers. In the adult animals the highest ICSH concentration appeared within 10 weeks before the rutting-season. During the rutting-season a marked decrease in the ICSH concentration was observed, associated with a maximum development of the Leydig interstitial cells, of the testes and of the vesicular glands. These findings are discussed in relation to the endocrine feedback mechanism. The ICSH determinations were carried out by the ascorbic-acid-depletion test. Preliminary investigations revealed that the addition of large amounts of FSH may act synergistically with LH.