Pituitary gonadotrophins in fetal and neonatal rabbits.

The pituitary gonadotrophins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were found to be higher in female rabbit fetuses from day 25 to day 32 of pregnancy. No difference was observed in pituitary gonadotrophins or serum LH in the neonatal males and females on days, 1, 6 and 13. Serum FSH concentrations were significantly higher in female than in male neonates. It is concluded that the rabbit fetal pituitary is capable of synthesizing gonadotrophins from day 25 of gestation.