Pituitary-ovarian relationships during the post-reproductive phase of inbred mice

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Abstract

Two strains of inbred mice with differences in functional ovarian lifespan have been examined for evidence of altered ovarian steroidogenesis and feedback control of the pituitary gland during the post-reproductive phase of life. The serum concentrations of unconjugated oestrogens in old anoestrous animals were not detectable by radioimmunoassay (<10 pg/ml) although the histochemical demonstration of Δ5-3β-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase even in old CBA ovaries devoid of follicles suggested that residual steroidogenesis may occur. Changes of the follicular composition of ovaries throughout adult life and the early disappearance of follicles from one strain did not affect basal levels of immunoreactive serum luteinizing hormone (LH). Furthermore, ovariectomy of either young or old mice did not alter LH levels. The results suggested that ovaries of aged CBA mice and of postmenopausal women are comparable in terms of the early onset of senescence, residual steroidogenesis and certain pathological changes, but differ in the level of exposure to LH because of basic differences in the normal regulation of this hormone.

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