Effect of phenobarbitone on pituitary gland of male albino mice

The effects of phenobarbitone on gonadotrophs and lactotrophs of pituitary gland were studied in male albino mice which were administered phenobarbitone 50 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally (ip) daily for 14 days. A group of control mice were administered saline ip. In the experimental group, there was significant reduction in the average cell population of FSH cells in the cephalomedian area (P < 0.001) and in the lateral lobe (P < 0.01). The average volume of both FSH and LH cells was also significantly reduced (P < 0.001). The changes in the gonadotrophs of the experimental group could be attributed to the negative feedback action of testosterone which is being secreted from hypertrophied Leydig cells of testis.