THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS GONADOTROPIC HORMONE PREPARATIONS ON THE BLOOD PLASMA ASCORBIC ACID OF SHEEP AND RABBITS1

Abstract

The effect of injecting various gonadotrophic hormone preps, on the blood plasma ascorbic acid of sheep and rabbits was investigated with the following results. The subcut. adm. of a prep. of pregnant mare''s serum (400 I.U.) was effective in reducing the blood plasma ascorbic acid of ewes and of both pseudopregnant and anestrual rabbits. A follicle stimulating extract prepared from sheep pituitary glands was effective in reducing the blood plasma ascorbic acid of ewes when administered on either the 4th, 8th, or 12th day of the estrual cycle. The same prep, increased the blood plasma ascorbic acid significantly (P = 0.01) in one group of rabbits but was without significant effect on 2 groups of rabbits having an initially low level of ascorbic acid. The relation of the nutritive state of these doses to their response to the hormone is discussed. An unfractionated pituitary extract (containing both follicle stimulating and luteinizing activity) depressed the blood plasma ascorbic acid of ewes but probably with less certainty than the follicle stimulating extract. The normal blood plasma ascorbic acid level of ewes appeared to be higher on the 12th, than on the 4th or 8th day of the estrual cycle.