Changes in Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Prolactin, Oestradiol and Progesterone Concentrations in the Sera of Anovulatory Androgenized Female and Castrated Male Parabiotic Rats of the Fischer-344 Strain

Abstract

The serum concentrations of FSH, LH and prolactin, as well as oestradiol and progesterone, were measured by immunoassays at various intervals up to 35 weeks after parabiotic union of an anovulatory androgenized female and a castrated male rat of the Fischer-344 strain. Modest increases in FSH (28%) and larger increases in LH (128%), compared to levels found in single adult animals, produced large increases in follicular growth, ovarian weight and oestrogen production in the female partners; thecal and interstitial elements of the ovaries were not heavily stimulated. Prolactin concentrations in the sera increased to exceedingly high levels and massive pituitary tumours were produced in all of the female partners. Development of cystic follicles with loss of granulosa-cell layers and the formation of early stages of granulosa-cell tumours progressed with time in union. Serum LH levels were as high in parabiotic as in single castrated male rats within 2 weeks, but concentrations of FSH remained much below those of the single animals until 27 weeks after castration. The results are consistent with the view that the ovaries of androgenized female rats of the Fischer strain produce some factor which prevents the post-castration rise in FSH of parabiotic male partners.

Ultrastructural Evaluation of Gingival Glycosaminoglycans in Ovariectomized Rats: Effects of Steroid Hormone Therapy

“…We induced permanent estrus both in controls and in the experimental groups ( table 1 ). Androgenized female rats pass into an endocrine state with high levels of androgens and estrogens that results in persistent vaginal cornification [13,14] . This experimental model was chosen because previous experiments in our laboratory showed that the lamina propria of gingiva in rats with this hormonal status is more developed than in regularly cycling rats.…”

“…Sex hormones are considered to be a risk factor for periodontal disease because they can facilitate the proliferation of specific periodontal microorganisms, alter the saliva composition as well as the gingival immune response and the local blood supply [5] . The gingival epithelium undergoes changes under hor- 13 monal action, but the literature is quite controversial regarding the type and the extension of such changes. The mechanisms of the influence of sex steroids in the gingiva are not known, but it is related to the hormonal influences on the connective tissue [6,7] .…”