Current Topics in Experimental Endocrinology

Current Topics in Experimental Endocrinology, Volume 2 covers major developments in the ever-expanding field of endocrinology. The book discusses the progress in cyclic nucleotide research; the hypothalamic control of the anterior pituitary hormone secretion-characterized hypothalamic hypophysiotropic peptides; and the pituitary-ovarian interrelationships in the rat. The text also describes the melatonin and the endocrine role of the pineal organ; the integration of the secretory control mechanisms for insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone; and the biological activity of somatomedin. The chemistry and physiology of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and vitamin d; and the physicochemical properties and activities of luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin are also encompassed. Endocrinologists, physiologists, and students taking related courses will find the book invaluable.

List of Contributors Preface Recent Progress in Cyclic Nucleotide Research I. Introduction II. Adenylyl Cyclase III. Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases IV. Mechanism of Action of Cyclic AMP V. Cyclic GMP VI. Summary References Hypothalamic Control of Anterior Pituitary Hormone Secretion-Characterized Hypothalamic-Hypophysiotropic Peptides I. Introduction II. Physiology of Hypothalamic-Releasing and Release-Inhibiting Factors Acting on the Anterior Pituitary III. Mechanism of Action of Hypothalamic-Releasing Factors IV. Peripheral Control of Pituitary Secretion V. Thyrotropin-Releasing Factor ( T R F ) VI. Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Factor ( L R F ) VII. Hypothalamic Control of Growth Hormone Secretion VIII. Hypothalamic Control of Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH) IX. Concluding Remarks References Pituitary-Ovarian Interrelationships in the Rat I. Introduction II. Ovarian Regulation of Gonadotropin Secretion III. Ovarian Regulation of Prolactin Secretion IV. Regulation of Corpus Luteum Function References Melatonin and the Endocrine Role of the Pineal Organ I. Introduction II. Melatonin Biosynthesis III. Melatonin Metabolism IV. Melatonin and Pinealectomy-Induced Endocrine Changes V. Other Possible Sources of Melatonin VI. Conclusions References Integration of the Secretory Control Mechanisms for Insulin, Glucagon, and Growth Hormone I. Introduction II. Secretory Control Mechanisms III. Mutual and Autoregulation of Secretion of the Three Hormones IV. Metabolic Actions V. Hormonal Response to Meals VI. Hormonal Milieu in Altered Physiological and Pathological States VII. Relative Importance of the Three Hormones in Metabolism VIII. Concluding Remarks References Somatomedin I. Introduction II. Bioassay of Somatomedin III. Somatomedin Levels in Disorders of Growth IV. Purification of Somatomedin V. Biological Actions of Somatomedin in Vitro VI. Relation between Somatomedin and Other Growth Factors VII. Conclusions References Parathyroid Hormone, Calcitonin, and Vitamin D I. Introduction II. Parathyroid Hormone III. Calcitonin IV. Vitamin D References Luteinizing Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: Structure and Activity I. Luteinizing Hormone II. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin References Subject Index