Norepinephrine turnover in pineal gland and superior cervical ganglia. Changes after gonadotrophin administration to castrated rats

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Abstract
The effects of FSH and LH on norepinephrine (NE) turnover in pineal gland and superior cervical ganglia of castrated female rats were examined by measuring the decline of [3H]NE concentration in the organ 30–120 min after a single i.v. injection of the labeled amine. Both FSH and LH treatment significantly decreased [3H]NE turnover in the pineal gland whereas only FSH accelerated it in the ganglia. As compared to controls, the initial uptake of [3H]NE was lower in the pineal gland of FSH- and LH-treated animals, and higher in the superior cervical ganglia of rats injected with FSH. Neither FSH nor LH modified [3H]NE turnover in heart or adrenal gland, nor changed their endogenous catecholamine content. Pineal monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity type B (assaying by usingβ-phenylethylamine as substrate) was decreased by FSH or LH injection. Only FSH modified MAO activity in the ganglia by increasing significantly type A enzyme (assaying by using serotonin as substrate). These results suggest that FSH and LH affect significantly NE metabolism in pineal gland and superior cervical ganglia of spayed rats.