Serum FSH, LH, and Prolactin in Adult Ovariectomized Mice Bearing Silastic Implants of Estradiol: Responses to Social Cues1

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Abstract
The usefulness of estradiol-implanted, ovariectomized female mice for studies of gonadotropic responses to social cues was examined. A 13-point dose response curve examined the relationship between implanted estradiol (in silastic capsules) and serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH] and prolactin in adult, ovariectomized, CF-1 females. This wide range of doses yielded all of the variation in serum LH that is normally present during the estrous cycle of the intact female, failed to yield the high levels of prolactin that occur during the intact female''s peri-ovulatory period, and failed to suppress serum FSH levels to concentrations characteristic of any stage of the estrous cycle. In a 2nd set of experiments, ovariectomized females were implanted with 1 of 2 doses of estradiol and then either housed in isolation, isolated and exposed to the odor of male urine, or grouped 6 per cage. Females implanted with the high dose of estradiol showed no significant effects of such housing procedures on serum gonadotropins. Females bearing the low dose of estradiol responded to male urine with a marked elevation in serum LH (no effect on FSH or prolactin) and responded to grouping with elevated prolactin and suppressed LH levels (again no effect on FSH), all when compared to isolated controls. Ovariectomized females bearing the low dose implant of estradiol seem to be normally responsive to social cues despite their abnormal serum gonadotropin levels.