IS OVARIAN ADRENERGIC-INNERVATION ESSENTIAL TO GONADAL-FUNCTION IN ADULT-RATS

We studied the relative importance of ovarian innervation during diffe rent phases of female rat sexual development, 30, 40, 45 and 60-day-ol d. Chemical sympathectomy was promoted by long term postnatal treatmen t with guanethidine (GD), an adrenergic neuron blocking agent. The sym pathectomized rats exhibited delayed puberty and alterations in estrou s cycle. Reduced circulating E(2), LH and Prl levels at 30 days of age were observed, besides decreased steroidal secretory responsiveness t o gonadotropins in vitro. On the other hand, normal pituitary secretor y responsiveness to LHRH in vivo and plasma gonadotropin concentration s were observed in 60-day-old rats. These data reinforce the view that ovarian sympathethic innervation contributes to the regulation of the prepubertal development of the ovarian functions.