Hypothalamic LH-releasing activity in young and aged intact and gonadectomized rats

Hypothalamic LH-releasing activity content was measured in young (3-5 mo) and aged (22-26 mo) intact and gonadectomized male and female rats. Hypothalamic extracts (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 hypothalamus equivalents) from young and aged rats were incubated with untreated hemisectioned rat pituitaries in medium 199. All hypothalamic extract treatments stimulated LH release from the incubated pituitaries. Increased amounts of hypothalamic extracts added to to the incubation medium proportionally increased LH release. There were no differences in LH release stimulated by young or aged hypothalamic extracts from either the intact or gonadectomized groups. In addition serum testosterone concentrations were reduced in the aged male rats and serum LH was lower in aged male and female rats than in the young groups. Although serum LH was increased after gonadectomy in all groups, the increase was of smaller magnitude in the aged rats. These data indicate significant alterations in the responsiveness of the hypothalamus to steroid feedback in the aged rat. Although the hypothalamus contains sufficient LH-releasing activity to stimulate higher levels of pituitary and gonadal endocrine function, aging effects on the neuroendocrine control mechanisms inhibit hypothalamic hormone function.