The Brain Histamine (HA) and Pituitary Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels in Female Rats Anesthetized with Ether on Proestrus

Abstract

Levels of brain histamine (HA) and pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined in female rats anesthetized with ether in the afternoon of proestrus. The rats after 6-hr ether anesthesia had an average HA concentration higher than that of non-anesthetized rats in the hypothalamus, but not in the cortex or diencephalon. Ether-anesthetized rats also showed a higher LH level in the pituitary than that of non-anesthetized rats. These findings agree well with our previous observation of an inhibited ovulation associated with a decrease in serum LH in female rats anesthetized with ether in the afternoon of proestrus. Furthermore, it is suggested that the release of pituitary LH into the circulating blood is regulated by the level of HA in the hypothalamus.