title: Steroid induction of gonadotropin surges in the immature rat. II. Triggering ability of progesterone metabolites, adrenocortical hormones, and adrenocorticotropin.
abstract: Several adrenocortical steroids were tested for their ability to trigger LH release in estrogen-primed sexually immature female rats. Massive LH surges, approaching these known to be triggered by progesterone (P), followed the injection of depot ACTH1-24 and also of the adrenal steroids deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and 4-pregnen-21-ol-3,20-dione 21-acetate, but not of 5 alpha- and 5 beta-pregnan-21-of-3,20-dione, corticosterone, or aldosterone. Estrogen-primed adrenalectomized/ovariectomized rats also responded to DOC, albeit to a lesser extent. The P metabolites 5 alpha-pregnana-3,20-dione, 4-pregnen-20 alpha-ol-3-one, and 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one proved ineffective, although their triggering ability in adults was confirmed. It is concluded that adrenal P and DOC are potent activators of the gonadotropin surge system underlying pubertal ovulation and that P metabolites may acquire biological properties during sexual maturation.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003900:Desoxycorticosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone