EFFECTS OF THYMECTOMY ON REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION AND BEHAVIOR

被引:8
作者
BLOOM, DF
BLOCH, GJ
GORSKI, RA
机构
[1] UNIV CALIF LOS ANGELES,SCH MED,CTR HLTH SCI,DEPT ANAT & CELL BIOL,LOS ANGELES,CA 90024
[2] UNIV CALIF LOS ANGELES,SCH MED,BRAIN RES INST,NEUROENDOCRINOL LAB,LOS ANGELES,CA 90024
[3] UNIV CALIF LOS ANGELES,DEPT PATHOL,LOS ANGELES,CA 90024
关键词
THYMUS; THYMECTOMY; LORDOSIS; SEX BEHAVIOR; REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES; STRESS; PROGESTERONE; OVARY; DEVELOPMENT; THYMIC HORMONES;
D O I
10.1016/0031-9384(92)90274-6
中图分类号
B84 [心理学];
学科分类号
04 ; 0402 ;
摘要
The effects of thymectomy in perinatal Long-Evans rat pups on their reproductive function in early adulthood were examined. Thymectomized females had decreased lordotic responsivity to estrogen, while thymectomized males exhibited differences in mount latency or postejaculatory interval; these results suggest a possible influence of the thymus on the normal development of the neural substrates of sexual behavior. Gonadal histology appeared unperturbed in rats of either sex. No statistical abnormalities in luteinizing hormone or testosterone levels were seen in male animals. Likewise, no disturbances were observed in the ability of females to exhibit normal positive feedback after estrogen and progesterone administration; negative feedback after unilateral ovariectomy (as judged by ovarian compensatory hypertrophy) was also normal. The timing of puberty was not statistically delayed in females, even though slowed growth rates were observed. A heightened surgical stress response, as judged by progesterone levels in experimental females, suggests that perinatal thymectomy may possibly alter the sensitivity of adults to stress.
引用
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页码:291 / 298
页数:8
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