The function of the pituitary-gonad, pituitary-adrenal cortex systems with repeated administration of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the postnatal period

Abstract

The effect of repeated injections of gonadotropin releasing factor (LH-RF) on the functional activity of the pituitary-gonadal and pituitary-adrenal systems of young Papio hamadrias of different age was investigated. Blood levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, hydrocortisone, 11-deoxycortisone, and luteinizing hormone were radioimmunoassayed in monkeys over the course of LH-RF injections (six injections every other day). The stimulating effect of the factor on the level of luteinizing hormone decreased after its repeated injections to male monkeys aged under 1 year. The simultaneous increase of testosterone level did not tend to decrease the stimulating effect of LH-RF. Injections of LH-RF did not change the level of hydrocortisone in animals aged 2 years and increased it in monkeys aged 1 year. Repeated injections of LH-RF to young male Papio hamadryas changed the adrenal steroidogenesis, which manifested by a decrease in the blood levels of corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisone, and dihydrotestosterone.