The development of a feedback mechanism between the ovary and the diencephalic-hypophysial system in the rat.

Abstract

SUMMARY With the object of obtaining basic information concerning the establishment of the feedback mechanism between the ovaries and the diencephalic-hypophysial system (DHS), changes in the gonadotrophic activity and histological structure of the anterior pituitary lobe were determined in groups of rats 21 days following ovariectomy on the day of birth or at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 50 days. It was shown that the gonadotrophic activity of the hypophysis of spayed females and non-spayed controls differed using the criterion of uterine weight of the recipient, following ovariectomy at birth. After spaying at the age of 5 days the difference was also statistically significant using the criterion of ovarian weight. Histological investigation showed that in animals ovariectomized at days 1 and 5 there was an increase in PAS-positive mucoid cells in the adenohypophysis with a distinct PAS-positive Golgi zone in the pale centre of the cytoplasm. The results of these experiments show that a feedback mechanism between the ovaries and the DHS becomes established at an age between (21–x) and (26–x) days, where x is the period necessary for the development of demonstrable post-castration changes in the anterior lobe. In view of the reported initiation of ovarian oestrogen production, the hypothesis is discussed that the feedback mechanism begins to function during very early post-natal life.