EFFECTS OF MOLYBDENOSIS ON LUTEINIZING-HO RMONE, FOLLICLE-STIMULATINGAND ESTRADIOL HORMONES IN RATS

This work studies the effect of molybdenum on estrous activity and rep roductive hormones: LH, FSH and estradiol. Twenty one Wistar weanling female rats were assigned to three experimental groups, A: Control, B: Copper deficiency and C: Molybdenum toxicity. All groups were fed wit h 70% cow milk (1 ppm Cu) and 30% corn meal (0.8 ppm Cu). They were su pplemented for 60 days as follows: A: 40 ppm SO4 CU2 + 40 ppm SO4 Fe-2 , B: 40 ppm SO4 Fe-2, C: 40 ppm SO4 Cu-2 + 40 ppm SO4 Fe-2 + 500 ppm N a-2 Mo O-4. Vaginal smears showed that high dietary Mo prolonged the l ength of the estrous cycle and altered the cytological characteristics of the different phases of the cycle. Peak values of FSH were signifi cantly lower in molybdenotic animals. Serum E(2) was lower both in the two deficient groups and in molybdenotic animals. In conclusion, high dietary Mo decreased the FSH levels although elevated Mo and copper d eficiency decreased the levels of estradiol, different mechanisms coul d be involved. Changes in estrous cycle in molybdenotic animals may be subsequent to alteration in FSH and E(2) secretion.