title: Prolonged steroidogenesis in luteinized ovaries of hypophysectomized rats.
abstract: Luteinized ovaries of rats hypophysectomized shortly after ovulation 25-80 days previously secrete considerable amounts of 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone (20 alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 20 alpha-OHP) into the bloodstream. The serum concentration of 20 alpha-OHP in these hypophysectomized animals is almost similar to that of progesterone in intact pseudopregnant rats on day 7 of pseudopregnancy, in spite of the absence of demonstrable amounts of prolactin. Isolated corpora lutea of the last generation and the remainder of the ovarian tissue both contained 20 alpha-OHP. Six months after hypophysectomy no detectable amount of 20 alpha-OHP was found in the serum. Androgenized rats, devoid of corpora lutea, did not produce 20 alpha-OHP after hypophysectomy. These data show that pituitary hormones are not required for the prolonged synthesis and secretion of 20 alpha-OHP by the luteinized ovary.
mesh_terms: D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D011555:Pseudopregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D004092:20-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D011388:Prolactin