ROLE OF ARACHIDONIC-ACID IN GNRH-INDUCED LH-RELEASE AFTER GLUCOCORTICOID TREATMENT OF RAT PITUITARY-CELLS

Although it is known that stress inversely affects normal reproduction , the exact mechanism has not yet been established. A unifying factor appears to be the alteration of the pattern of luteinising hormone sec retion from the anterior pituitary gland. Stress might affect gonadotr ophin release through the secretion of corticosteroids from the adrena l cortex which then act on the hypothalmic-pituitary-gonadal axis. We now investigate whether arachidonic acid could be the site of action f or glucocorticoids in the disruption of luteinising hormone release.