Pituitary gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor levels in intact and ovariectomized-adrenalectomized female golden hamsters on a short photoperiod.

Both intact and ovariectomized + adrenalectomized hamsters on a short photoperiod, had a daily surge in plasma LH at approximately 16.00-18.00 h. The number of pituitary GnRH receptors was generally lower in ovariectomized + adrenalectomized hamsters than in intact animals, but both intact and ovariectomized + adrenalectomized hamsters had a decrease in the number of receptors just prior to the LH surge. These results show that gonadal steroids are not involved in regulating the pre-LH surge fall in the number of GnRH receptors.