INCREASE IN GONADOTROPIC CONTENT OF PITUITARY GLANDS OF FEMALE RATS TREATED WITH ANTIGONADOTROPIC SERUM1

Abstract

The gonadotrophic potency of the hypophyses of immature and adult [female] rats treated for 63 and 54 days, respectively, with antigonadotrophic serum was like that of castrated rats and greatly exceeded the gonad-stimulating power of the pituitary glands of normal rats. Gonads of the animals treated with antihormone were less than half the wt. of those of the normal control [female][female]. Gonads of the adult [female] rats killed 19 days after cessation of antihormone injs. had entirely recovered from the atrophic state found immediately after discontinuing the antigonadotrophic treatment. The gonadotrophic content of the pituitary gland was the same as that of the normal control rats. An increase in size and number of the basophiles was noted in animals killed immediately after the last inj. of antihormone. This basophilism was absent in animals autopsied 19 days after the last antihormone inj. The mechanism whereby an increase in gonadotrophic content of the pituitary gland follows treatment with antihormone is discussed.