title: Variations in plasma concentrations of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone during the oestrous cycle of the rat and after administration of ovarian steroids.
abstract: Plasma concentrations of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay at various times during the oestrous cycle of the rat. Variations in plasma alpha-MSH concentrations occurred throughout the oestrous cycle. Plasma alpha-MSH concentrations were low during the day of dioestrus 1 and rose during the evening reaching peak levels at around 02.00 and 06.00 h on dioestrus 2. Plasma alpha-MSH concentrations then fell and remained low throughout the rest of dioestrus 2. A different pattern was observed during pro-oestrus and oestrus. On those days peak alpha-MSH concentrations occurred during the morning and persisted until the onset of the dark period at around 17.00 h. Plasma alpha-MSH concentrations in ovariectomized rats were found to be increased 24 h after administration of a single injection of oestradiol benzoate and at 12 and 36 h after a single injection of progesterone. It is suggested that these ovarian steroids may influence the rhythm in plasma alpha-MSH concentration that occurs during the oestrous cycle.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones