Monoamine oxidase activity in the pituitary of mice after estrogen, progesterone and centchroman treatment.

Monoamine oxidase activity (MAO) was estimated in the pituitary of ovariectomized mice after a single administration of estradiol-dipropionate (0.01 mg/kg; im), progesterone (1 mg/kg; im) and centchroman (1.25 mg/kg ip). Estrogen and progesterone were found to decrease the enzymic level, as compared to control, while centchroman remarkably increased it. The significance of dissimilarity in the pituitary threshold for steroidal and nonsteroidal molecule is discussed.