Abstract
Summary
Pituitary autografts and sibling and nonsibling homografts placed under the renal capsule were studied in normal and hypophysectomized rats. In these Long-Evans rats, which were not closely inbred, grafts from nonsiblings were rejected; as were about 20% of those from siblings. Most of the accepted grafts secreted LtH throughout the experiment (up to 3 months) as shown by functional luteal cell hypertrophy and progestogen secretion. In order to estimate the approximate amount of exogenous hormone required to imitate the estrous-cycle-inhibiting effect of these grafts purified ovine mammotropin with 30 IU/mg was used. With due consideration for the considerable variability in the responsiveness of our rats to this hormone, as well as in the secretory activity of a transplanted pituitary, it might be concluded that 15 to 60 IU of the hormone covers the range of LtH activity exhibited by single viable pituitary grafts.
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