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Effect of cyproterone acetate, d-norgestrel and progesterone on cells of the pars distalis of the adenohypophysis in the beagle bitch

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Summary

The effects of short-term (8 weeks) treatment with different doses of cyproterone acetate (CPA), d-norgestrel (d-N) and progesterone on cells of the pars distalis, as revealed by the immunoperoxidase technique, were studied in cycle-synchronized beagle bitches (first anoestrus). Pituitary glands from non-treated primiparous beagle bitches at the 6th and 9th week of pregnancy were also included. For immunochemical staining specific antisera to the following hormones were used: canine GH, canine PRL, porcine ACTH, bovine TSHβ, bovine LHβ and human FSHβ. Morphological features of high secretory activity in GH cells were evident even after the human oral contraceptive doses of CPA and d-N, and after a dose as low as 0.1 mg/kg/day subcutaneously (s.c.) of progesterone. In contrast, PRL cells did not show any significant treatment-related effects except in those animals which received the highest dose of d-N (0.5 mg/kg/day per os). In this group, as well as in all pregnant bitches, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of PRL cells were found. In the animals treated with the highest doses of CPA (4.0 mg/kg/day per os) and progesterone (42.5 mg/kg/day s.c.) as well as in pregnant bitches, ACTH/MSH and TSH cells showed marked atrophy and regressive changes. Similar morphological signs of depressed secretory activity were also observed in the cells shown to contain FSHβ and/or LHβ as a result of treatment with the highest dose of progesterone and at the 9th week of pregnancy. These structural responses indicate that quantitative and/or qualitative differences may exist between progesterone, the synthetic progesterone derivative CPA and the nortestosterone type progestagen d-N with regard to their effect on pituitary hormone secretion in the beagle bitch.

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Abbreviations

ACTH:

Adrenocorticotropin

FSH:

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

GH:

Growth Hormone

LH:

Luteinizing Hormone

MSH:

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone

PRL:

Prolactin

TSH:

Thyrotropin

CRH:

Corticotropin Releasing Hormone

TRH:

Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone

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Author notes

  1. M. R. Fath El Bab

    Present address: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Assiut, Assiut/Egypt

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Laboratories of Schering AG, Berlin/Bergkamen, Federal Republic of Germany

    M. F. El Etreby & M. R. Fath El Bab

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  1. M. F. El Etreby
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  2. M. R. Fath El Bab
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Additional information

The authors are grateful to Dr. Christel Schöbel and Mrs. P. Kurth for carrying out the experimental work on animals, to Mrs. B. Schilk and Miss U. Tüshaus for their excellent technical assistance, and to Dr. P. Günzel for his advice and encouragement

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El Etreby, M.F., Fath El Bab, M.R. Effect of cyproterone acetate, d-norgestrel and progesterone on cells of the pars distalis of the adenohypophysis in the beagle bitch. Cell Tissue Res. 191, 205–218 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222420

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