PREOVULATORY CHANGES IN THE RAT CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID GONADOTROPIN AND PROLACTIN CONCENTRATIONS

Preovulatory and cyclic changes in the concentration of LH, FSH and PR L in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were compared with their levels in the serum and pituitary. No preovulatory surge of LH, FSH and PRL occu rred in the CSF in consonance with their serum levels. An 8-10 hr dela yed surge with smaller amplitude of LH, FSH and PRL in the CSF was obs erved on 22.0 h proestrus till 02.00 br estrus. A significant correlat ion was observed between cerebrospinal fluid PRL and LH (r=0.77, P < 0 .01). It is suggested that LH, FSH and PRL in the CSF may serve as sen sors for serum gonadotropin and PRL levels and LH may be functionally linked to PRL.