Effects of "stress" on pulsatile luteinizing hormone release in ovariectomized rats.

The effects ov various "stresses" on pulsatile LH release in ovariectomized rats were investigated. Blood was withdrawn through atrial cannulas and replaced with saline at 10 min intervals for 190 min. Plasma LH concentration was suppressed in rats subjected to 30 or 60 min of immobilization during the collection period. On the contrary, sham ovariectomy 4 hr prior to blood collection, leg break or iv injection of ACTH or corticosterone during the collection period did not alter pulsatile patterns in LH release. The results indicate that LH release mechanisms are highly resistant to "stresses" but that immobilization can suppress LH release by an unknown mechanism.