The Effect of Colchicine on the Release of Rat Anterior Pituitary Hormones in Vitro 1

Abstract

Summary

1. Colchicine significantly increased the basal rate of release of growth hormone while it did not effect the basal rate of release of LH, FSH or TSH from anterior pituitaries incubated in vitro.

2. Colchicine significantly enhanced the action of LRF and FRF by increasing the rate of release of LH and FSH. This effect was magnified by preincubating the pituitaries in colchicine for 2 hr.

3. Colchicine at 1 × 10^-3 M significantly potentiated potassium-stimulated LH and FSH release only when the colchicine-treated glands were preincubated with the drug for 2 hr prior to incubation.