Summary. The

Results suggest a substantial benefit of adding PlGF to the combined test.

++ ewes with the results for the F+ ewes being in between. The FSH responses to all GnRH doses in the FF genotype were minimal (i.e. < 2-fold). In the other genotypes a > 2-fold response was noted only at the highest GnRH dose (i.e. 25 \g=m\g). Treatment of FF and F+ but not ++ ewes with GnRH eventually led to a reduced FSH output, suggesting that the pituitary responses to endogenous GnRH were being down\x=req-\ regulated in the F-gene carriers whereas this was not the case in the non-carriers. Collectively these data confirm that peripheral plasma and the pituitary together with the ovary are compartments in which F-gene differences can be observed. In conclusion, these findings raise the possibility that F-gene-specific differences may also extend to the hypothalamus and/or other regions of the brain.

In an attempt to determine the nature of hypothalamic and pituitary dysfunction in renal failure the secretory patterns of luteinising hormone were measured in men with end stage renal disease and compared with those in healthy controls and renal transplant recipients of similar age distribution. Mean luteinising hormone and oestradiol concentrations were significantly higher and the number of luteinising hormone secretory pulses was significantly lower in uraemic men compared with controls.

No abstract