Summary
A variety of experiments carried out in recent years are reviewed and evidence is presented for the presence of non-indolic, pineal antigonadotropic substances in pineal extracts and partially purified pineal fractions. Other data are presented suggesting the presence of prolactin releasing and release-inhibiting substances in bovine pineal glands. Also, the sulfurcontaining amino acid and putative neurotransmitter taurine was found in large quantities in bovine pineals closely associated with fractions possessing antigonadotropic activity.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benson, B., Grosso, D. S., Rosenblum, I. Y., Bressler, R.: Circadian rhythm in pineal taurine levels in the rat: effects of optic enucleation, constant light or superior cervical ganglionectomy. Abstr. of 59th Ann. Meet., Endocrine Soc., p. 491 (1977).
Benson, B., Matthews, M. J., Hruby, V. J. Characterization and effects of a bovine pineal antigonadotropic peptide. Am. Zool.16, 17–24 (1976).
Benson, B., Matthews, M. J., Orts, R. J. Presence of an antigonadotropic substance in rat pineal incubation media. Life Sci.11, 669–677 (1972 a).
Benson, B., Matthews, M. J., Rodin, A. E. A melatonin-free extract of bovine pineal with antigonadotropic activity. Life Sci.I, 10, 607–612 (1971).
Benson, B., Matthews, M. J., Rodin, A. E. Studies on a non-melatonin pineal antigonadotropin. Acta Endocrinol.69, 257–266 (1972 b).
Ebels, I., Benson, B., Bria, C. F., McDonnell, D., Chang, S., Hruby, V. J. Location by paper chromatography of compensatory ovarian hypertrophy (COH) inhibiting activity in acetic acid extracts of bovine pineals. J. Neural Transm.42, 275–292 (1979).
Ebels, I., Benson, B., Matthews, M. J. Localization of a sheep pineal antigonadotropin. Anal. Biochem.56, 546–565 (1973).
Ebels, I., Horwitz-Bresser, A. E. M. Separation of pineal extracts by gel filtration. IV. Isolation, location and identification from sheep pineals of three indoles identical with 5-hydroxytryptophol, 5-methoxytryptophol and melatonin. J. Neural Transm.38, 31–41 (1976).
Matthews, M. J., Benson, B. Inactivation of pineal antigonadotropin by proteolytic enzymes. J. Endocrinol.56, 339–340 (1973).
Matthews, M. J., Benson, B., Rodin, A. E. Antigonadotropic activity in a melatonin-free extract of human pineal glands. Life Sci.10, 1375–1379 (1971).
Orts, R. J. Reduction of serum LH and testosterone in male rats by a partially purified bovine pineal extract. Biol. of Reprod.16, 249–254 (1977).
Orts, R. J., Benson, B. Inhibitory effects on serum and pituitary LH by a melatonin-free extract of bovine pineal glands. Life Sci.12, 513–519 (1973).
Orts, R. J., Benson, B., Cook, B. F. LH inhibitory properties of aqueous extracts of rat pineal glands. Life Sci.14, 1501–1510 (1974 a).
Orts, R. J., Benson, B., Cook, B. F. Some antigonadotropic effects of melatonin-free bovine pineal extracts. Acta Endocrinol.76, 438–448 (1974 b).
Orts, R. J., Kocan, K. M., Yamishani, W. P. Fertility control in female rats by bovine pineal gland extracts. Life Sci.17, 531–538 (1975).
Rosenblum, I. Y., Benson, B., Hruby, V. J. Chemical differences between bovine pineal antigonadotropin and arginine vasotocin. Life Sci.18, 1367–1374 (1976).
Rosenblum, I. Y., Benson, B., Bria, C. F., McDonnell, D., Hruby, V. J. Localization and chemical characterization of a partially purified bovine pineal antigonadotropin. J. Neural Transm.44, 197–220 (1979).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by U.S.P.H. National Institutes of Health Grant # HD 08759.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Benson, B. Continued chemical and physiological studies with antigonadotropic fractions from extracts of bovine pineal glands. J. Neural Transmission 48, 261–269 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01250661
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01250661