DEMONSTRATION OF A PITUITARY GONADOTROPHIN HORMONE ACTIVITY IN THE MALE FOETAL MOUSE

Abstract

Testosterone production by 18 day old fetal mouse testis was measured in an organ culture system by RIA [radioimmunoassay] of the culture medium. Production was time-dependent and could be stimulated by ovine LH [luteinizing hormone] and age-matched fetal pituitary. The gonadotropin activity derived from fetal pituitary appeared to be released into the culture medium as a limited reserve. A biologically active gonadotropin material appears in the pituitary of the 18 day old mouse fetus.