NEGATIVE FEEDBACK OF SECRETION OF FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE BY THE PITUITARY GLAND OF DEVELOPING MALE RATS

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Abstract
Rabbit antiserum to human seminal plasma inhibin (hSPI) was administered subcutaneously to developing male rats of 5, 10, 14, 17 and 24 days of age and the size of the endogenous FSH rise in serum was measured. The FSH levels were threefold higher on day 9 and 1·5-fold higher on days 14 and 18 when compared with levels in control rats treated with normal rabbit serum. Furthermore, the in-vitro binding capacity of pituitary plasma membrane to 125I-labelled hSPI declined with increase in age of the rats. Thus, the results of the present study suggest that the sensitivity of the testicular inhibin–FSH feedback relationship is related to age-dependent changes in pituitary binding of inhibin.