Abstract

The stress of etherization and bleeding produced an elevation within 2 min in the plasma levels of prolactin, LH, and FSH in ovariectomized rats. Quantitatively the elevation was greatest in the case of prolactin, less for LH, and least for FSH. A second exposure to ether and bleeding one hour later produced a further elevation in prolactin and no further change in LH and FSH. The levels of prolactin and LH but not FSH had declined to control, nonstress (decapitated) levels within one hr. Nembutal blocked the stressinduced elevations of plasma prolactin and LH but did not affect the levels of FSH. The effect of Nembutal is thought to be on the CNS since the Nembutalized rats responded to hypothalamic extract or ovine LRF with dramatic elevations in plasma LH, indicating that the pituitary was still responsive to releasing factors. It is concluded that stress can induce a rapid release of pituitary FSH and LH as well as prolactin in the rat. (Endocrinology90: 707, 1972)

This content is only available as a PDF.
You do not currently have access to this article.