Sexual differentiation in the phase of the circadian rhythm of (35S) methionine incorporation into cerebral proteins, and of serum gonadotrophin levels.

Abstract

SUMMARY The incorporation of [35S]methionine into protein in various regions of the brain and in the anterior pituitary, and serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured at 6 h intervals throughout a 24 h period in the following groups of Wistar rats: (1) normal adult males and females; (2) adult genetic males or females which had been respectively 'feminized' or 'masculinized' by androgen deprivation or administration in neonatal life. Similar measurements were made at 12 h intervals in adult male rats which had been castrated at 7 or 15 days of age. Serum LH levels showed a circadian rhythmicity in normal adult animals of both sexes, with peak levels in the male occurring 6 h earlier than those in the female. There was no statistically significant circadian rhythm in FSH levels in any group of animals. In all groups of castrated animals LH and FSH levels were raised but no circadian rhythms were observed. Incorporation of [35S]methionine into protein in all cerebral areas showed circadian rhythms, the peak values of which, in the adult males, were almost 8 h (120°) out of phase with those of the adult females. In the 'feminized' genetic males or 'masculinized' genetic females the rhythmic phase was reversed to that of the opposite genetic sex. Animals castrated at 7 days or 15 days of age did not appear to show a rhythm. A 12 h rhythm of incorporation was apparent in the anterior pituitary of the normal adult male and the adult 'masculinized' female; no significant rhythm was seen in the normal adult female and the 'feminized' male. It is suggested that a 'female type' rhythm of incorporation in the brain may be associated with the maintenance of oestrous cycles.