THE EFFECT OF PREPUBERAL TREATMENT WITH RESERPINE ON PUBERTY, PITUITARY LUTEINIZING HORMONE AND THE OESTROUS CYCLE OF THE RAT

Abstract

SUMMARY The long-term effects of a single s.c. injection of 50 μg. reserpine given on the 4th day of life were studied in female rats. Vaginal opening was probably delayed (P < 0·05) by the treatment. In addition those rats which had received reserpine in the neonatal period exhibited prolonged periods of dioestrus and only occasionally intermittent vaginal cornification. At 30 and 60 days of age pituitary LH concentration and content were significantly lower in reserpine-treated animals than in controls of the same age.