Changes in the sensitivity of the pituitary gland to luteinizing hormone releasing factor during the oestrous cycle of the rat

Abstract

The results suggest that a change in pituitary sensitivity to synthetic luteinizing hormone releasing factor may play an important role in determining the magnitude of the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), but it would appear that the timing and duration of the surge depend on other factors as well. The relationship between the secretion of LH and ovulation is discussed with respect to the finding that there appeared to be no correlation between the number of ova shed and the maximal levels of plasma LH after injection.