Current Topics in Experimental Endocrinology

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