Adrenal Involvement in Determining the Time of Onset of Puberty in the Rat1

Gorski, Marianne E.; Lawton, Irene E.

doi:10.1210/endo-93-5-1232

Cited by 49 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 107 publications

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“…However, in those experiments, the maximum uterine weight induction by DOCA was only 17% of the uterine weight induced by E 2 . Adrenalrelated delay in puberty in the rat [53] is attributed to the adrenal cortex, which is the site of deoxycorticosterone biosynthesis [54]. Adrenal-mediated control of uterine estrogen receptor in adult mice [55,56] has been demonstrated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ovarian and Adrenal Contributions to Postnatal Growth and Differentiation of the Rat Uterus

Branham

Sheehan

1995

Biology of Reproduction

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We tested the hypothesis that ovarian and/or adrenal factors contribute to uterine growth, differentiation, and acquisition of estrogen responsiveness in the postnatal rat. In untreated rats, normalized uterine weight (5.2 mg/10 g BW on postnatal days [PND] 1-10) increased by about 35% on PND 11-19; PND 6 ovariectomy (OVX) eliminated this increase. Adrenalectomy (ADX) on PND 6 lowered normalized uterine weight only when combined with OVX and only on PND 16 and 19, demonstrating the presence of uterotropic adrenal products. OVX +/- ADX on PND 6 delayed uterine gland genesis by about 2 days but did not alter final gland numbers. There was no change in the normal pattern of luminal epithelium morphology. A uterotropic response to 17 beta-estradiol (E2) occurred on PND 10 in OVX rats and on PND 12 in OVX + ADX rats, but not until PND 14 in controls. We conclude that normal uterine growth is independent of the ovaries and adrenals prior to PND 10, partially dependent during PND 10-15, and completely dependent during PND 16-26. Additionally, a uterotropic response to exogenous E2 occurs concomitantly with, but independently of, the endogenous estrogen surge. Finally, while uterine gland genesis is slightly retarded by OVS +/- ADX, estrogens from these organs do not induce uterine differentiation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ovarian and Adrenal Contributions to Postnatal Growth and Differentiation of the Rat Uterus

Branham

Sheehan

1995

Biology of Reproduction

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“…This prepubertal adrenal activity is not specific to man and can also be found in animals, in particular the rat. Immunoreactive progesterone and oestrogens also seem to be of adrenal origin at the onset of puberty (Morera et al, 1974;Ramaley, 1974), and adrenalectomy in female rats between the ages of 18 and 20 days significantly delays the opening of the vagina (Gorski & Lawton, 1973).…”

Section: G O N a D A L F U N C T I O N I N T H E C H I L D A N D A D mentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal Relationships in Man From Birth to Puberty

Forest

Peretti

Bertrand

1976

Clinical Endocrinology

134

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Gonadal function depends upon activities at various levels. Thus there is: (a) a central level (extra-hypothalamic, hypothalamic, and anterior pituitary); (b) an intermediate level (gonadal and plasma), and (c) a peripheral level consisting of the target organs to which the hormonal message is directed. These determine both the expression of gonadal function (physical, physiological, or psychological) and the feedback regulation of the secretion of gonadotrophins.(a) Central level (i) Extra-hypothalamic centres. The production of LH releasing hormone (LHRH) is affected in the rat, and probably in primates as well, by extra-hypothalamic stimuli coming, in particular, from the amygdala and the hippocampus. Adrenergic regulation exists at this level, noradrenaline having a stimulatory and dopamine an inhibitory effect (Bliss et al., 1972).(ii) Hypothalamic centres. These are localized in particular in the pre-optic area. Immunochemical techniques have demonstrated that LHRH is secreted by neurones of the arcuate nucleus, and released into the capillary plexus proximal to the hypophyseal portal system at the level of the median eminence, thereby reaching the anterior pituitary (Barry & Dubois, 1974;Setalo et al., 1975).(iii) Gonadotrophin secreting cells of the anterior pituitary. These synthesize and secrete the gonadotrophins, LH and FSH, under the influence of LHRH (Schally et al., 1972). The pituitary gonadotrophins stimulate the synthesis and the secretion of the gonadal

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“…In the pubertal rat the effects of (chronic) adrenalectomy on the number of ova shed are not convincing: normal numbers of ova after adrenalectomy were reported by Gorski & Lawton (1973) and Macfarland & Mann (1977), whereas ovulation of fewer ova was reported by Gorski-Firlit & Lawton (1974), even when no delay in age of vaginal opening was found. Data on the acute effects of adrenalectomy on spontaneous first ovulation are, so far as we know, lacking.…”

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confidence: 98%

Sexual maturation and the adrenal glands

Meijs-Roelofs¹,

Moll²

1978

Reproduction

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It is a definite possibility that organs which are primarily elements of functional systems other than the reproductive system are involved in sexual maturation. The adrenal glands are attractive candidates for such a role in sexual maturation : they are capable of producing androgens, oestrogens and progesterone, not only in the adult, but also in the prepubertal animal. This points to the adrenal cortex as source of hormonal material that may be directly involved in sexual maturation. Studies in which adrenalectomy, followed by reimplantation of the adrenal glands, was performed, provide proof that medullary degeneration does not influence sexual maturation (Gorski & Lawton, 1972, 1973.We will review here the main lines of available evidence on involvement of the adrenal glands in sexual maturation. Emphasis will be on the female rat which has been studied most extensively. The following topics will be discussed. (1) Hormone production by the adrenal glands during sexual maturation. This background information seems important if a possible role of the adrenal glands in sexual maturation is considered. (2) Interactions that have been observed between adrenal gland function and the reproductive system in the prepubertal animal. Although existence of such inter¬ actions does not necessarily give (direct) proof of adrenal involvement in sexual maturation, it does perhaps indicate how the adrenal glands may contribute to sexual maturation. (3) Experimental alteration of adrenal function and sexual maturation : under this heading we will discuss the various parameters of sexual maturation that have been studied after experimental manipulation of adrenal function, in which the approach has been largely restricted to adrenalectomy. (4) Finally, we will discuss whether, when established, an influence of the adrenal glands on sexual maturation must be attributed to a specific interaction of the adrenal glands with the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian sys¬ tem or whether it is due to more general effects of adrenal function on bodily development. It is well-known that the stage of bodily development reached is a decisive factor in sexual maturation.

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Adrenal Involvement in Determining the Time of Onset of Puberty in the Rat1

Cited by 49 publications

References 107 publications

Ovarian and Adrenal Contributions to Postnatal Growth and Differentiation of the Rat Uterus

Ovarian and Adrenal Contributions to Postnatal Growth and Differentiation of the Rat Uterus

Hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal Relationships in Man From Birth to Puberty

Sexual maturation and the adrenal glands

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