Pituitary and plasma levels of gonadotrophins in foetal and newborn male and female rats.

Levels of LH and FSH were measured by radioimmunoassay in serum, pituitary and placental tissues of male and female foetal and newborn rats. No gonadotrophins were detected in placental tissues or amniotic fluid. In the male, pituitary FSH and LH were first detected on day 17 of gestation. Gonadotrophins could not be detected in any female tissues until birth. In male foetuses the highest levels of both LH and FSH in the circulation were found on day 16 of foetal life; subsequently the levels decreased dramatically.