RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD LEVELS OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE AND TESTOSTERONE IN BULLS, AND THE EFFECTS OF SEXUAL STIMULATION

Abstract

SUMMARY Luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone were measured in the peripheral plasma of two bulls by radioimmunoassay and competitive protein binding techniques. Samples were collected from an indwelling jugular catheter once an hour for 24 h, and then at more frequent intervals after a number of experimental procedures. Each bull showed its own characteristic pattern of cyclic LH changes, with 5–10 peaks during 24 h that were apparently unrelated to daylight, feeding or sleep. Each LH peak was associated with a testosterone peak; the LH concentrations ranged from 5 to 50 ng/ml, and those of testosterone from 2 to 20 ng/ml. Sexual stimulation, such as the sight of a cow, or 'teasing', or on one occasion the act of ejaculation itself, caused an immediate release of a large amount of LH. If the testosterone levels were low at the time, the LH peak was followed by a testosterone peak. But when the testosterone levels were high at the time of LH discharge, the testis seemed to be unable to respond any further. An intravenous injection of 500 i.u. human chorionic gonadotrophin was associated with LH release and caused the testosterone levels to rise to maximal values of 22 ng/ml within 1½ h. It is concluded that the cyclical pattern of LH release is due to some inherent central rhythm, and that each transient LH peak results in transient maximal stimulation of testicular testosterone secretion.