Quantitative examinations of some rat proteins by means of absorbed anti-pregnancy and anti-feto sera

This paper reports quantitative examinations of some rat serum proteins which occur only, or in rising concentrations in pregnant rats before and after birth. A new serum protein is described which is only demonstrable in female rats. In male rats this protein is found rarely and then in very small quantities.     

Quantitative examinations of some rat proteins by means of absorbed anti-pregnancy and anti-feto sera

Summary This paper reports quantitative examinations of some rat serum proteins which occur only, or in rising concentrations, in pregnant rats before and after birth. A new serum protein is described which is only demonstrable in female rats. In male rats this protein is found rarely and then in very small quantities.     

On the mineralocorticoid and hypertensogenic properties of 16beta-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone.

Dosages of either 1 or 2 mg daily of 16beta-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone, given to mononephrectomized, salt-loaded female rats, had no detectable effect upon saline consumption, blood pressure, kallikrein excretion or heart and kidney weight. Its alleged mineralocorticoid properties, as judged by these criteria, were not demonstrable.     

Effect of testosterone on the kinetics of the development of suppressor cells in adjuvant arthritis

The induction of unresponsiveness to mycobacterial adjuvant took a longer time in male DA rats than in female rats. A shift in the induction time of unresponsiveness in males toward the female type was brought about by castration, but could be reverted to the male type by the application of testosterone. The transfer study revealed that cells capable of preventing arthritis required a longer incubation time for their development in males than in females. This suggests that testosterone inhibits the development of suppressor cells in adjuvant arthritis.     

Effect of testosterone on the kinetics of the development of suppressor cells in adjuvant arthritis

Summary The induction of unresponsiveness to mycobacterial adjuvant took a longer time in male DA rats than in female rats. A shift in the induction time of unresponsiveness in males toward the female type was brought about by castration, but could be reverted to the male type by the application of testosterone. The transfer study revealed that cells capable of preventing arthritis required a longer incubation time for their development in males than in females. This suggests that testosterone inhibits the development of suppressor cells in adjuvant arthritis.Acknowledgments. We are grateful to The Naito Foundation Research Grant for 1983.     

Ursachen der geschlechtsunterschiedlichen MilchdrÜsengewebsentwickiung bei Ratten

Summary Under the same hormonal conditions, mammary gland growth in adult female rats is more pronounced than in males. Since there are no differences in the glandular development of both sexes, either at birth or at 30 days of life, it is assumed that male rats react less sensitively than female rats in response to a hormonal stimulus with regard to mammary gland growth. It is presumed that androgen influence during the differentiation stage is responsible for the fixation of a decreased sensitivity of the positive feedback-mechanism between estrogens and prolactin secretion in males. Thus changes in sensitivity would be the reason for mammary gland growth in males being smaller than in females under the same hormonal conditions.

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Dieser Arbeit liegen zum Teil die Untersuchungsergebnisse einer SchÜler-Facharbeit von U.Rieser zugrunde.     

On the mineralocorticoid and hypertensogenic properties of 16β-Hydroxy-Dehydroepiandrosterone

Summary Dosages of either 1 or 2 mg daily of 16-hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone, given to mononephretomized, salt-loaded female rats, had no detectable effect upon saline consumption, blood pressure, kallikrein excretion or heart and kidney weight. Its alleged mineralocorticoid properties, as judged by these criteria, were not demonstrable.This study was supported by a grant No. HL 15319 from the United States Public Health Service.     

Isoenzyme der alkalischen Phosphatase-Referenzwerte im jugendlichen Alter und Einfluss der Eiweissernährung

Summary In 260 normal students, 20–25 years old, the variation in the activities of serum alkaline phosphatase and its isoenzymes with sex, ABO blood groups, and protein intake were studied. The values are on the whole higher in males than in females. The activity of the intestinal isoenzyme was higher in subjects taking protein-rich diet than in those taking protein poor diet.     

Neonatal masculinization affects maternal behavior sensitivity in female rats

Summary The present results indicate that maternal behavior in adult neonatally androgenized female rats is significantly diminished when compared to females at oestrus and intact males. In androgenized females cannibalism was detected.Supported by Dirección de Investigación y Desarrollo S-80-26, Universidad Austral de Chile.Acknowledgment. The authors are thankful to Dr E. Rodriguez for his valuable suggestions and discussions.     

Hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal function in the rat following administration of the novel and selective D-1 agonist CY 208-243

The effects of the novel and selective dopamine D-1 agonist CY 208-243 on the rat hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal (HHG) axis were studied. CY 208-243 did not modify the concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum from female or male rats, and had no effect upon opiate antagonist-induced stimulation of LH secretion in male rats. CY 208-243 did not inhibit ovulation in cycling female rats. Thus, D-1 receptor activation by systemic drug administration does not alter HHG function in rats.     

Opsonic activity against zymosan of normal human serum of different blood types

Summary Serum opsonic activity against zymosan was found to be decreased more markedly in highly diluted O type serum than in the other 3 types, among which no difference was noted. Heat-killed bacteria were equally well opsonized with any type of serum. This peculiar activity of O type serum against zymosan was not affected by the removal of isohemagglutinins. No inhibitory activity was demonstrable in O type serum.This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid from the Japan Medical Research Foundation and Grants-in-Aid (Project Nos. 157253 and 544050) from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan.     

Reappearance of HCG-receptors in immature rat ovary after HCG-treatment is not due to receptor synthesis.

In 24-day-old rats the reappearance of ovarian HCG-receptors after the injection of 200 IU HCG in independent of protein synthesis. The reutilization of occupied receptors in immature female rats is due to dissociation of the receptor-hormone complex.     

Influence of age on epidermal growth factor receptor level in the rat brain

The influence of age on 125I-epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding to rat brain plasma membranes was investigated. The specific binding of EGF to membranes decreased gradually with age in both male and female rats. There was no significant difference in the specific binding between males and females. Scatchard analysis of the binding data showed that the decrease in EGF binding with age was due to a decrease in the number of EGF receptors.     

Hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal function in the rat following administration of the novel and selective D-1 agonist CY 208-243

Summary The effects of the novel and selective dopamine D-1 agonist CY 208-243 on the rat hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal (HHG) axis were studied. CY 208-243 did not modify the concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum from female or male rats, and had no effect upon opiate antagonist-induced stimulation of LH secretion in male rats. CY 208-243 did not inhibit ovulation in cycling female rats. Thus, D-1 receptor activation by systemic drug administration does not alter HHG function in rats.     

Reappearance of HCG-receptors in immature rat ovary after HCG-treatment is not due to receptor synthesis

Summary In 24-day-old rats the reappearance of ovarian HCG-receptors after the injection of 200 IU HCG is independent of protein synthesis. The reutilization of occupied receptors in immature female rats is due to dissociation of the receptor-hormone complex.This work was supported in part by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 46). Purified HCG was a gift of Schering AG, Berlin West. We thank Mrs Margarete Lindig and Mrs Rita Rudolph for assistance and Mr A. Schlegel for radioimmunological determinations.     

Morphological and biochemical effects of excessive amounts of biotin on embryonic development in mice

Pregnant mice received excessive amounts of biotin either subcutaneously (sc) or orally during gestation. There were no differences in the successful pregnancy rates and number of dead or resorbed fetuses between the control and biotin-treated groups. In biotin-treated groups no increased incidence of fetuses with external malformations was clearly demonstrable. However, biotin accumulated in maternal and embryonic organs; especially, the serum biotin level in the biotin-treated dam was 200-fold higher than that in the control dam. There was a difference in biotinidase activity in maternal serum and placenta between the control and biotin-treated groups. It was concluded that excessive amounts of biotin affected the specific activity of biotinidase in pregnant mice, but did not disturb normal reproductive functions and embryonic development.     

Sex difference in polyethylenglycol-induced thirst

Summary The polyethylenglycol-induced thirst in male and female castrated rats has been studied. The polyethylenglycol (PG) increases the water intake more in females than in males. Estradiol benzoate and testosterone P. diminishes the amount of water drunk after PG treatment in the females, but not in the males.     

Influence of age on epidermal growth factor receptor level in the rat brain

Summary The influence of age on¹²⁵I-epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding to rat brain plasma membranes was investigated. The specific binding of EGF to membranes decreased gradually with age in both male and female rats. There was no significant difference in the specific binding between males and females. Scatchard analysis of the binding data showed that the decrease in EGF binding with age was due to a decrease in the number of EGF receptors.     

Effect of estradiol on aminoacid incorporation into proteins of different hypothalamic areas in prepuberal rats.

Estradiol in vitro produces a significant increase in the incorporation of 3H-leucine into proteins of the anterior hypothalamic area in prepuberal female rats, 15 and 20 days old, but not in younger animals. The ovarian hormone induced no changes in the protein synthetic activity of middle and posterior hypothalamus and cerebral cortex in prepuberal female rats of different ages. Estradiol did not modify the protein synthesis of the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex in prepuberal male rats.     

5'-Nucleotidase activity in liver homogenates of rats treated with CCl4, colchicine, cycloheximide, emetine, ethanol, ethionine and 5-fluorotryptophan

5'-Nucleotidase activity an enzyme marker of the plasma membranes, increases in female rat liver homogenates following ethionine administration, while homogenates from males show no changes. Treatment with CCl4, colchicine, cycloheximide, emetine, ethanol and 5-fluorotryptophan does not significantly modify the 5'-nucleotidase activity of liver homogenates of either female or male rats.