Abstract
The female sex hormones are known to influence the activity of the central nervous system. Estrogens facilitate ovulation by promoting the release of luteinizing hormone from the anterior pituitary through hypothalamic action (1). Both estrone and stilboestrol stimulate the running activity of female as well as male rats (2). Progesterone on the other hand, blocks ovulation by its central action (3) and depresses the central nervous system. Large doses may even induce anaesthesia (4). The mechanisms by which these female sex hormones influence the activity of central nervous system is not known. There is enough evidence to suggest the role of catecholamines in the motor activity and ovulation (5-7). It seems that these hormones may be acting in the central nervous system through the involvement of adrenergic mechanism. We have tried to examine this possibility by studying the changes in brain catecholamine content folowing estrogen (diethyl-stilboestrol) and progesterone administration.
