EFFECT OF PHENOBARBITONE ON PITUITARY-GLAND OF MALE ALBINO MICE

The effects of phenobarbitone on gonadotrophs and lactotrophs of pitui tary gland were studied in male albino mice which were administered ph enobarbitone 50 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally (ip) daily for 14 days. A group of control mice were administered saline ip. In the expe rimental group, there was significant reduction in the average cell po pulation of FSH cells in the cephalomedian area (P < 0.001) and in the lateral lobe (P < 0.01). The average volume of both FSH and LH cells was also significantly reduced (P < 0.001). The changes in the gonadot rophs of the experimental group could be attributed to the negative fe edback action of testosterone which is being secreted from hypertrophi ed Leydig cells of testis.