Effects of amygdaloid lesions on plasma and pituitary levels of luteinizing hormone in the male deermouse.

Abstract

SUMMARY Bilateral lesions produced by electrocoagulation in the basolateral amygdaloid nuclear complex were found to affect plasma and pituitary levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the male deermouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii). Within 1 week after lesions were produced in the basolateral amygdaloid group, pituitary levels of LH increased significantly by 170% from the level in intact controls of 0·17–0·47 m-u./mg. During the same period, plasma levels rose by approximately 220% from 0·14–0·45 m-u./ml. The rise in LH continued and was at 0·55 m-u./mg. in the pituitary and 0·54 m-u./ml. in plasma 3 weeks after the lesions had been placed. The rise in plasma LH was reflected in the weight of the testes, prostates and seminal vesicles which significantly increased in all animals with lesions.