Abstract
Summary
In order to evaluate the role of luteninizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) secretion in the early postnatal development of gonadal function in the female rat, groups of animals received a single injection of a highly potent LH-RH antiserum (LH-RH-AS) on day 1, 3, 5 or 10 days of life or were given injections twice weekly from day 1 until the time of vaginal opening. Control rats were given normal rabbit serum (NRS). Vaginal opening was delayed 4 days in animals treated with a single injection of LH-RH-AS on day 10 of life compared to littermate controls. In animals treated twice weekly, vaginal opening was delayed more than 32 days. These studies indicate that the normal timing of pubertal development in the female rat requires LH-RH from an early age.
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