EFFECTS OF OVARIAN-STEROIDS ON GLUCOSE-METABOLISM IN UTERUS HORNS ISOLATED FROM UNDERFED RATS - INFLUENCE OF CASTRATION

The effect of a restricted diet (50% of the normal intake) during 25 d ays, on the glucose metabolism was explored in uterus horn strips isol ated from intact and ovariectomized rats. In intact underfed rats, the formation of (CO2)-C-14 from (UC)-C-14-glucose was significantly lowe r than in their controls. In castrated rats, the formation of (CO2)-C- 14 increased after underfeeding. The return to ad libitum feeding incr eased glucose metabolism in both groups. Total food deprivation for 4 days diminished (CO2)-C-14 formation both in non-ovariectomized rats a nd in ovariectomized ones as measured at the end of this fasting perio d. This diminution was greater in intact rats. The increased of glucos e metabolism provoked by the administration of s.c. estradiol, progest erone or their combination was more important in underfed intact anima ls. In intact rats, blood levels of endogenous estradiol and progester one decreased as a result of underfeeding. In spayed ones, their low c oncentration increased in relation to their controls.