Neurobiology of Reproduction in the Female Rat: A Fifty-Year Perspective (Monographs on Endocrinology, 32)

It has been my privilege and pleasure during the past half century to participate in the unfolding of present-day concepts of the mammalian female reproductive cycles. When the studies recorded here began in the late 1930s it was already established that cyclic ovarian function is governed by gonadotropic secretions from the anterior pituitary gland, the "conductor of the endrocrine orchestra," and that in turn this activity is importantly dependent in some way upon secretion of estro­ gens and progesterone by the ovaries. Although a role of the nervous system was recognized for the reflex-like induction of ovulation in rabbits and cats and the in­ duction of pseudopregnancy in rats and mice, and although there was even some evidence of neural participation in ovulation in rats, a major central neural role in the female cycle of most species was not apparent. Gonadotropic fractions of pitui­ tary extracts having distinct follicle-stimulating and luteinizing activities in test ani­ mals had been obtained, and these respective effects had been fairly well charac­ terized. Prolactin was well known for its lactogenic activity, but its luteotropic role in rats and mice had yet to be revealed. The molecular structure of the several estro­ gens and progesterone was known, and they were readily available as synthetic pro­ ducts. The broad concept of ovarian-pituitary reciprocity appeared to be an accept­ able explanation of the female cycle, with the ovary in control through the rhythmic rise and fall in secretion of follicular estrogen. This volume, written by one of the pioneers of neuroendocrinology, gives a concise, running account of investigations in his laboratory during the past half-century which have contributed fundamentally to present understanding of regulatory processes in the female reproductive cycle. It includes interaction of age, lighting, and heredity, progesterone-estrogen promotion and timing of ovulation. The pharmacologic blockade of ovulation as well as electrochemical and electrical stimulation of the brain inducing ovulation are dealt with. Pituitary transplantation promoting prolactin secretion is described. Re-transplantation restoring cycles and the 'delayed pseudopregnancy' phenomenon are discussed Front Matter....Pages I-X Introduction....Pages 1-1 Vaginal Cytology and Ovarian Status....Pages 2-7 Strains of Rats....Pages 8-8 Interaction of Environmental Lighting, Age, and Genetic Background Influencing the Estrous Cycle....Pages 9-16 Steroid Regulation of the Ovarian Cycle....Pages 17-37 Timing the Preovulatory Surge of Gonadotropin Secretion....Pages 38-56 Central Neural Control of Spontaneous Ovulation: The Rat Model....Pages 57-91 Pseudopregnancy: Controls For Prolactin Secretion....Pages 92-114 Summary....Pages 115-118 Back Matter....Pages 119-133