Pre-and Postnatal Development of Mouse Embryos After Storage for Different Periods at Cryogenic Temperatures

Abstract

Defatted bovine pineal glands were extracted with acetic acid and further purified on Sephadex G-25 to yield three antigonadotropic fractions designated as F3, F4 and F5. Each of the fractions was administered separately at either 5 or 10 g eq (equivalent to starting wet weight of tissue) dose levels daily for five consecutive days to young mature male rats. The animals were necropsied 24 h after the last injection. None of the fractions had an effect on accessory gland weight although the fraction F4 significantly reduced testicular and anterior pituitary weights while the higher dose of the F5 fraction caused a significant reduction in anterior pituitary weight. Each fraction significantly reduced the concentration of serum LH when administered at the higher dose level. Animals receiving either dose of the F4 fraction displayed significantly reduced concentrations of serum testosterone while those animals receiving either of the other two fractions did not. The data provide further evidence that some substances other than melatonin in the bovine pineal are antigonadotropic.