REGULATION OF HEPATIC STEROID METABOLISM BY THE HYPOTHALAMO-PITUITARY-LIVER AXIS

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the regulation of hepatic steroid metabolism by the hypothalamo-pituitary-liver axis. The pituitary gland is essential for the maintenance of the female type of steroid metabolism in the adult animal. The chapter compares the effects of continuous infusion of growth hormone (GH) with injections of the hormone at different intervals to investigate the effects of the secretory pattern of GH. hGH had to be used in this experiment because of low amounts of rGH available. Hypophysectomized female rats received 120 μg hGH/24h. The results seem to indicate that the secretory pattern of GH is of great importance for its effects on hepatic steroid metabolism. The present hypothesis is that the effects of androgens and estrogens with regard to hepatic steroid metabolism are mediated via their central regulation of the secretory pattern of the feminizing factor. This factor is probably identifiable with GH or a GH-related peptide.