Abstract
Summary
Plasma LH levels were measured in male and female rats soon after gonadectomy by means of a solid phase radioimmunoassay method. Male rats responded to gonadectomy by elevating their plasma LH concentrations within 12 hr postcastration; a continuous rise in plasma LH concentration was observed up to day 20 at which date a plateau level was reached. Female rats showed little elevation in plasma LH concentrations up to 10 days after gonadectomy; at this time, the plasma LH level was considerably lower than that found in the male; the stage of estrus during which gonadectomy was performed had no major effect on the animal's ability to elevate plasma LH concentration. At day 30 following gonadectomy, similar levels of plasma LH were observed in both sexes.
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