Abstract
Summary
Three out of four cycling ewes followed for two full cycles showed a marked increase in radioimmunoassayable circulating LH levels shortly after the onset of estrus; although samples were taken every 8 hr, only one sample showed the increase in each cycle. The same four ewes were used to determine the half-life and distribution volume of exogenous ovine LH; an average half-life of 28 min and an uncorrected distribution volume of 9.14% of body weight were found. The results have been interpreted as indicating that almost all the LH was released from the pituitary in a surge lasting not more than 3 hr, and that the normal cycling ewe pituitary synthesizes approximately 0.5 mg of NIH-LH-S1 equivalent per day.
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