Influence of electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus on ovarian steroidogenesis in hypophysectomized and...

The effects of electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), periventricular arcuate nucleus (ARC) and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) on the rates of 14C transfer from 14C-1 acetate into ovarian steroids in ovarian slices of hypophysectomized and adrenalectomized (H-A) rats were investigated. The 14C transfer rates into estrogen and 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (20 alpha-OH-P) were decreased by LHA stimulation. The stimulation of the ARC and VMH increased the rates of 14C transfer into estrogen, progesterone and 20 alpha-OH-P. From these results, it might be suggested that these hypothalamic structures were involved in the regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis without participation of the pituitary and adrenal.