ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Mature female golden hamsters, which had demonstrated regular reproductive cycles, when exposed to 23,000 feet simulated altitude for eight or more days became acyclic. Their ovaries, which were polyfollicular, suggested that LH release or synthesis by the hypophysis had been blocked. Human chori-onic gonadotrophin (which has LH activity) caused similarly exposed animals to ovulate. When animals which were exposed to high altitude for nine days were returned to control altitude, they ovulated five days later. Starvation for nine days, which has no significant effect on adrenal weight but does cause increased LH dependent ovarian interstitial development at control altitude, failed to do so at 23,000 feet. It is hypothesized that high altitude selectively blocks LH secretions by the hypophysis.High altitude also interrupted pregnancy when treatment lasted four or more days and was begun before day 12. Since follicular development of pregnancy continued normally but corpora lutea regressed and both FSH and prolactin are needed to maintain the hamster corpus luteum, this study suggests the possibility that prolactin secretion is blocked in the pregnant animal at high altitude.
Additional Material:
3 Tab.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1091730205
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