The development of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis in the neonatal rat: pituitary and serum prolactin concentrations1
Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. Downloaded from www.nrcresearchpress.com by 99.244.153.32 on 01/07/15 For personal use only.
J. H. DUSSAULT, P. WALKER, AND J. D. DUBOIS Service dlEndocriraologie-Me'tabolisme, Le Centre Hospitalier de I'Univcrsit6 Lava!, Quebec (Qu6.) Canada GP V QG2 Received April 21, 1976 DUSSAULT,3. H., WALKER,P., and Dusors, J. D. 8977. The development of the hypothalame-pituitary axis in the neonatal rat: pituitary and serum prslactin concentrations. Can. 1. Physiol. Pkarmacol. 55, 84-89. Using highly specific double-antibody radioimmunoassay techniques, we have measured pituitary and serum prolactin QPRL) concentrations in neonatal rats from birth to 68) d. Pituitary PKL concentration was low at birth in bolh sexes and peak prepuberal values were attained at 25-28 d. Following this time, pituitary PRI, concentrations in females were significantly higher than those observed in males ( p 0.01 ). Serum PRL concentrations were low at birth in both sexes and remained low until I5 d, when they rose to peak values just before puberty. There were n o significant sex differences with respect to serum PRE concentrations. These data indicate that hypothalamic control of PRL secretion develops during the neonatal period of the rat. The relationship of this developmental process in the neonatal rat as a possible model for the study of the midgestational hypothalamic maturation of the human fetus is discussed.
Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. Downloaded from www.nrcresearchpress.com by 99.244.153.32 on 01/07/15 For personal use only.
J. H. DUSSAULT, P. WALKER, AND J. D. DUBOIS Service dlEndocriraologie-Me'tabolisme, Le Centre Hospitalier de I'Univcrsit6 Lava!, Quebec (Qu6.) Canada GP V QG2 Received April 21, 1976 DUSSAULT,3. H., WALKER,P., and Dusors, J. D. 8977. The development of the hypothalame-pituitary axis in the neonatal rat: pituitary and serum prslactin concentrations. Can. 1. Physiol. Pkarmacol. 55, 84-89. Using highly specific double-antibody radioimmunoassay techniques, we have measured pituitary and serum prolactin QPRL) concentrations in neonatal rats from birth to 68) d. Pituitary PKL concentration was low at birth in bolh sexes and peak prepuberal values were attained at 25-28 d. Following this time, pituitary PRI, concentrations in females were significantly higher than those observed in males ( p 0.01 ). Serum PRL concentrations were low at birth in both sexes and remained low until I5 d, when they rose to peak values just before puberty. There were n o significant sex differences with respect to serum PRE concentrations. These data indicate that hypothalamic control of PRL secretion develops during the neonatal period of the rat. The relationship of this developmental process in the neonatal rat as a possible model for the study of the midgestational hypothalamic maturation of the human fetus is discussed.
