We describe two families (including one previously reported) in which cerebellar or spinocerebellar ataxia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and choroidal dystrophy result from abnormal function of an autosomal recessive gene. Review of the literature adds one other family with this disorder. These three examples confirm the existence of this traid as a specific, pleiotropic, single-gene syndrome. Careful ophthalmologic evaluation of patients with ataxia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism may identify additional cases.

The effects of gender and the gonadal hormone environment on basal and stimulated growth hormone (GH) release by dispersed and continuously perifused rat anterior pituitary cells were examined. Cells from intact male and diestrus day 2 female rats and from castrate male rats either untreated or treated with testosterone (T) or 17 beta-estradiol (E2) were used. Basal GH release (ng/min per 10(7) cells; mean +/- SE) by cells from diestrus day 2 female rats was less than by cells from castrate rats treated with T (4.3 +/- 0.6 vs. 11.4 +/- 2.7, respectively; P less than 0.025). No other differences in basal release were detected. Concentration-response relationships were documented between human GH-releasing factor 40 (hGRF-40; 0.03-100 nM given as 2.5-min pulses every 27.5 min) and GH release. Mean (+/- SE) overall GH release (ng/min per 10(7) cells) above base line was greater by cells from intact male rats (496 +/- 92) than by cells from castrate (203 +/- 37.3; P less than 0.0001), castrate and T-treated (348 +/- 52.8; P = 0.008), or castrate and E2-treated (58.1 +/- 6.8; P less than 0.001) male rats or by diestrus day 2 rats (68.6 +/- 9.5; P = 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of forskolin, an agent which increases intracellular levels of cAMP, on basal luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone (GH) release and on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated LH release were documented. Continuously perifused dispersed anterior pituitary cells from female rats at random stages of the estrous cycle were used. Secretory rates of both LH and GH increased in a concentration-dependent manner in response to a 1-h challenge with 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, or 3 microM forskolin. In response to 0.3 microM forskolin, maximum GH release was achieved within 15-20 min, after which secretion decreased. In contrast, LH release increased gradually, became maximal at 1.5-2 h, and remained constant until the forskolin was withdrawn. Cells exposed to 10 nM GnRH for 4 h exhibited a biphasic release of LH with the interphase nadir occurring at 30 min. The second phase of LH release was enhanced by simultaneous addition of forskolin with the GnRH. Whereas second phase release did not increase further, exposure of the cells to forskolin for 60 or 120 min before GnRH resulted in increased first-phase LH release. We suggest that, whereas our data are consistent with a role for cAMP in mediating the acute release of GH, cAMP may be involved in the process through which nonimmediately releasable LH becomes available for release.

Renal agenesis has usually been associated with high levels of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP). A case involving a pregnancy with virtually no MSAFP and a fetus with severe renal dysplasia on one side and renal agenesis on the other is presented.