Genazzani A R, Petraglia F, Cleva M, Brilli G, Mercuri N, De Ramundo B M, Volpe A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena School of Medicine, Italy.
Contraception. 1989 Nov;40(5):605-13. doi: 10.1016/0010-7824(89)90132-7.
Progesterone is a potent hormone acting on the female reproductive tract and influencing a series of other functions. Recent studies revealed a correlation between progesterone and brain neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Our study evaluated the possible effect of norgestimate, a new progestin, on hypothalamic and pituitary beta-endorphin (B-EP) concentration in castrated female rats. Ovariectomy was performed under ethyl ether anesthesia. Treatment was started 3 weeks after surgery. Norgestimate, estradiol benzoate or norgestimate plus estradiol benzoate were administered. The two steroids were dissolved in sesame oil and injected (s.c.) every day for 2 weeks. Pituitary and hypothalamus B-EP concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Our studies showed that norgestimate increases the pituitary and hypothalamic B-EP concentration in female rats, reaching values higher than controls and estrogen-treated rats. Because B-EP has an important role in reproductive function, both modulating gonadotropin secretion and sexual behavior, the present results lead to the hypothesis that norgestimate affecting B-EP concentrations may influence central functions.
孕酮是一种作用于女性生殖道并影响一系列其他功能的强效激素。最近的研究揭示了孕酮与脑内神经递质和神经肽之间的关联。我们的研究评估了一种新型孕激素诺孕酯对去势雌性大鼠下丘脑和垂体β-内啡肽（B-EP）浓度的可能影响。在乙醚麻醉下进行卵巢切除术。术后3周开始治疗。给予诺孕酯、苯甲酸雌二醇或诺孕酯加苯甲酸雌二醇。这两种类固醇溶解于芝麻油中，每天皮下注射，持续2周。通过放射免疫分析法测定垂体和下丘脑B-EP浓度。我们的研究表明，诺孕酯可提高雌性大鼠垂体和下丘脑的B-EP浓度，达到高于对照组和雌激素处理组大鼠的值。由于B-EP在生殖功能中具有重要作用，既调节促性腺激素分泌又调节性行为，目前的结果引发了这样的假设，即影响B-EP浓度的诺孕酯可能影响中枢功能。
