This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by SCHWARTZ, N. B. Articles by TALLEY, W. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by SCHWARTZ, N. B. Articles by TALLEY, W. L.

DAILY MEASUREMENT OF PITUITARY LH CONTENT DURING PREGNANCY IN THE RAT: DO CYCLIC CHANGES PERSIST?

Summary.: Daily measurements of pituitary LH content during pregnancy in the rat, by the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion method, reveal no evidence of the regular changes manifested during the non-pregnant oestrous cycle. Instead, LH content rises from typical oestrous values on Day 1 to levels characteristic of cyclic pro-oestrus on Day 8. Pituitary lh content then exceeds pro-oestrous levels throughout the remainder of pregnancy until Day 21. Ovarian weight first decreases up to Day 10, then rises until the end of pregnancy. Ovarian histology reveals the presence of follicles of all sizes on each day, accompanied by increasing size of the corpora lutea of pregnancy. The significance of these observations and previous data in the literature concerning the pituitaryovarian axis during pregnancy are discussed from the point of view of the question of persistence of some manifestations of the oestrous cycle during pregnancy.