Maturation of gonadotropin function during growth of the male rat: influence of neonatal castration
Lescoat, G.
Journal de Physiologie 76(2): 119-122
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-7948 PMID: 6772762 Document Number: 158632
Evolution, during growth of plasma gonadotropin level [follitropin, lutropin], was studied in normal or castrated-at-birth rats. In the control animals, plasma gonadotropin levels decreased from the 15th-25th day, then increased progressively to adult age. Neonatal castration induced a new phenomenon: from the 25th-45th day, the plasma gonadotropin increase in the normal rat corresponded with a decrease in the castrated animals; from the 45th day-90th day, plasma gonadotropins increased in the castrated, and did not change significantly in the normal animals. Ovary hormones affected gonadotropin function; however, an autonomous maturation of this function, independent of gonadal secretions, appeared to exist.