LUTEINIZING HORMONE RELEASING FACTOR IN THE QUAIL HYPOTHALAMUS

Abstract

SUMMARY Pituitaries from Japanese quail were superfused continuously for up to 12 h and the luteinizing hormone (LH) in the superfusate was measured by radioimmunoassay. After an initial period the release rate remained low and relatively constant. The introduction of hypothalamic extracts prepared from quail substantially increased immunoreactive LH release. The responses were dose-dependent. Cortical extracts caused a minor but significant response. Dopamine was inactive in the system. The technique is attractive because it allows for repetitive stimulation of the same pituitary glands with treatments being administered every 30–45 min.