Assessment of Toxicant-Induced Alterations in the Luteinizing Hormone Control of Ovulation in the Rat

摘要

In the female rat, the large surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary into the general circulation that takes place on the afternoon of the day of vaginal proestrus is both a measurable and functional hormonal event. Since its occurrence is necessary for the expression of the terminal processes associated with the meiotic maturation of the oocyte and maturation of the ovarian follicle, it can serve as a valuable measure of reproductive integrity in the cycling female rat following toxicant exposure. Consequently, the present chapter describes three alternative approaches commonly used to evaluate the LH surge, along with detailed techniques of blood sampling by tail vein nicks and jugular catheterization that can be incorporated into studies of female reproductive toxicity.