Published March 1989 | Version v1
Journal article

Effect of chronic exposure to gamma radiation and of hormonal stimulation with serum gonadotropin on catecholamine levels in hypothalamus, epiphysis and adrenals of ewes

  • 1. Vysoka Skola Veterinarska, Kosice (Czechoslovakia)

Description

The effects were studied of exposure to whole body continuous irradiation and of the administration of serum gonadotropin (SG) on the concentration of catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) in the hypothalamus, epiphysis and adrenal glands of ewes during the anestric period with synchronized estrus. The first group (young barren ewes) and second group (older ewes) were exposed to continuous radiation of 60Co for five days. The radiation was applied at a rate of 0.020 Gy per hour. After the termination of irradiation the ewes were subjected to hormonal stimulation by fractionated administration of 1500 I.U. SG. The third and fourth experimental groups of ewes were stimulated with 1500 I.U. SG without irradiation. Catecholamines were separated from the tissue supernatants by adsorption chromatography and the catecholamine contents in the eluates were determined spectrofluorometrically. Chronic exposure to gamma radiation and hormonal stimulation with SG reduced the concentration of norepinephrine in the whole hypothalamus of the sheep. A statistically significant decrease (P<0.001) was recorded in the medial and caudal hypothalamus of the adult ewes and in the rostral and caudal hypothalamus regions of the young ewes. A decrease in norepinephrine concentration, statistically significant in the caudal (P<0.01) and medial hypothalamus was recorded in the group of adult ewes after hormonal stimulation with SG without irradiation. The experimental group of young ewes responded to hormonal stimulation by a greater reduction of norepinephrine contents as compared with combined exposure to radiation and hormonal stimulation. It is assumed that the decrease in catecholamine concentration after hormonal stimulation with SG is associated with the increase in the contents of estrogens which act on the adrenergic receptors of the hypothalamus. (author). 4 figs., 21 refs

Additional details

Additional titles

Original title (Slovak)
Vplyv protrahovanej expozicie gama-ziarenia a hormonalnej stimulacie serovym gonadotropinom na hladiny katecholaminov v hypotalame, epifyze a v nadoblickach oviec

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Veterinarni Medicina (Prague)
Journal Volume
34
Journal Issue
3
Series
Vet. Med. (Prague).
Journal Page Range
171-180
ISSN
0590-5214
CODEN
VTMDA

Optional Information

Notes
English translation available from Nuclear Information Center, 156 16 Prague 5-Zbraslav, Czechoslovakia at US$ 10 per page.