Endocrinology, Vol 103, 1829-1833, Copyright © 1978 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Steroid induction of gonadotropin surges in the immature rat. II. Triggering ability of progesterone metabolites, adrenocortical hormones, and adrenocorticotropin

I Kraulis, H Traikov, KB Ruf and F Naftolin

Several adrenocortical steroids were tested for their ability to trigger LH release in estrogen-primed sexually immature female rats. Massive LH surges, approaching these known to be triggered by progesterone (P), followed the injection of depot ACTH1-24 and also of the adrenal steroids deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and 4-pregnen-21-ol-3,20- dione 21-acetate, but not of 5 alpha- and 5 beta-pregnan-21-of-3,20- dione, corticosterone, or aldosterone. Estrogen-primed adrenalectomized/ovariectomized rats also responded to DOC, albeit to a lesser extent. The P metabolites 5 alpha-pregnana-3,20-dione, 4-pregnen- 20 alpha-ol-3-one, and 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one proved ineffective, although their triggering ability in adults was confirmed. It is concluded that adrenal P and DOC are potent activators of the gonadotropin surge system underlying pubertal ovulation and that P metabolites may acquire biological properties during sexual maturation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y.-S. Huang, K. Rousseau, M. Sbaihi, N. Le Belle, M. Schmitz, and S. Dufour Cortisol Selectively Stimulates Pituitary Gonadotropin {beta}-Subunit in a Primitive Teleost, Anguilla anguilla Endocrinology, March 1, 1999; 140(3): 1228 - 1235. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				V. Ramirez, D Dluzen, and D Lin Progesterone administration in vivo stimulates release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in vitro Science, May 30, 1980; 208(4447): 1037 - 1039. [Abstract] [PDF]