Hormonal regulation of reproductive function in rats in response to cold stress in a context of chronic toluene poisoning
Stepanov, M.G.; Savchenko, O.N.; Proĭmina, F.I.; Altukhov, V.V.
Problemy Endokrinologii 37(3): 59-61
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0375-9660 PMID: 1946298 Document Number: 378825
Chronic toluene inhalation at a maximum permissible concentration (MPC) and 10-fold higher as well as cold stress result in a significant rise of blood prolactin in female rats. Cold stress in control animals causes a decrease in the level of gonad-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) in the hypothalamus. When exposed to toluene this reaction disappears. In 4 hours after estradiol administration control animals demonstrate an increase in the level of Gn-RH in the vascular organ of an end plate. Rats, exposed to toluene (in MPC concentration) and cold stress show a decrease in the level of hypothalamic Gn-RH. At a higher concentration of toluene the level of Gn-RH in the hypothalamus remains unchanged either after estradiol administration or in cold stress. Thus chronic toluene inhalation even at small concentrations changes hypothalamic reactivity in response to stress and hormonal stimuli.