In vitro basal and GnRH-stimulated secretion of gonadotrophins reflects long-lasting modulatory effects, and peripheral levels are not predicted by pituitary responsiveness to GnRH

Objective: Production of the appropriate pattern of gonadotrophin levels is crucial to proper functioning of the female reproductive system. We aimed to establish whether the pituitary has invariant secretory characteristics when isolated from in vivo controls. We aimed to obtain information during both the rising and declining phases of the gonadotrophin surge. Design: This study investigated factors that are directed at the pituitary by isolating it from the acute influences of the in vivo environment and studying gonadotrophin secretion in vitro. Methods: Pituitaries of adult female rats were collected at selected times during the day of pro-oestrus and incubated in vitro, and at the same time blood was collected. Peripheral levels of LH and FSH were measured over the whole day of pro-oestrus, basal in vitro secretions of LH and FSH from pituitaries were measured, GnRH-stimulated LH and FSH secretion were assessed, and the responsiveness of LH and FSH secretion to GnRH were calculated. Results: Peripheral levels of LH peaked at 1800 h (P<0.02) followed by a subsequent decline. In contrast, although FSH had a peak at 1800 h (P<0.01), serum levels were also high at the end prooestrus. The profile of basal LH and FSH secretion from the pituitary in vitro, in the absence of added secretagogue, resembled that of the peripheral blood levels of each gonadotrophin. Pituitaries collected at 1800 h secreted most LH (P<0.02). FSH secretion was low early on the day of pro-oestrus and then increased to and was maintained at high levels in the last quarter of the day (P<0.01). When the pituitaries were stimulated with GnRH the patterns of LH release and FSH release approximated those observed for basal release. Responsiveness of the pituitaries to GnRH was calculated by determining the ratio of GnRH-stimulated release to basal release. However, low levels of gonadotrophin were secreted even from pituitaries which were highly responsive as determined from consideration of percentage increase in secretion induced by GnRH. Conclusions: The secretory activity was dependent on the time of day the pituitaries were collected. Since the secretion occurred after the tissue had been removed from the direct influence of the in vivo environment, the variations in secretion must reflect long-lasting components of the mechanism that regulate gonadotrophin concentrations. There were changes in both LH and FSH responsiveness to GnRH stimulation over the day of pro-oestrus. Delineation of the time courses and changing predominance of multiple processes is needed to assist understanding the mechanisms underlying the female reproductive cycle.