Des Gilmore - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Des Gilmore

Fertility and Sterility, 1973

A copper wire was placed in the seminal vesicle of mature Sprague-Dawley rats golden hamsters and... more A copper wire was placed in the seminal vesicle of mature Sprague-Dawley rats golden hamsters and mixed breed rabbits all of proven fertility. 23 rats had a 5 mm loop of copper wire or a Silastic tube placed in one or both seminal vesicles. 10 days later mating took place. 3 days after mating females were sacrificed and implantations recorded. Fertility tests were made on the males every 10 days for 61 days after which the copper wires or Silex tubes were removed. After 10 days fertility tests were resumed at 10 day intervals until normal pregnancies had occurred or 6-8 confirmed matings failed to produce a pregnancy. Similar fertility tests were made on male rats from which one or both seminal vesicles had been removed. 3 male rabbits had a 2 cm loop of copper wire inserted into the seminal vesicle. After 1 week semen was collected at intervals over a period of 6 weeks. A month after placement of the wire each rabbit was permitted to mate. 24 hours later the left fallopian tube of the mated female was removed and ova observed for evidence of fertilization. 2 weeks later the presence or absence of implantation sites were recorded and corpora lutea noted. About 6 weeks after placement of the copper wire specimens of semen were taken from each operated male rabbit and from controls. These samples were assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for presence of copper. 7 hamsters had a similar 5 mm coil of copper wire inserted into the seminal vesicles with fertility tests made at weekly intervals. In the rats the presence of a copper wire in the lumen of both seminal vesicles resulted in a 91% decrease in conception rate and in females that did conceive the number of implants was reduced. Surgical removal of both seminal vesicles produced a comparable result. Silastic tubes produced a similar but less pronounced effect. The conception rate increased after the removal of the wire or tube and a normal number of implants occurred. In the rabbits no depression of fertility occurred. In the hamsters there was a 25% decrease in conception rate. Only in the rats was the seminal vesicle fluid coagulated both with the copper wire and Silastic tube. Assay for copper in the semen samples from the rabbits showed a marked elevation of copper ions as compared to controls.

Neuro endocrinology letters, 2000

OBJECTIVES: We have investigated the modulating effects of DPDPE (a delta opioid agonist) and opi... more OBJECTIVES: We have investigated the modulating effects of DPDPE (a delta opioid agonist) and opioid receptor antagonists on both LH release and indoleamine concentrations in specific hypothalamic regions of the ovx and steroid-primed rat. METHODS: DPDPE was intracerebroventricularly infused alone or with either ICI 154129 (a delta opioid antagonist) or naloxone under ketamine anesthesia. Blood samples were collected at hourly intervals on the afternoon of the anticipated LH surge. The rats were then decapitated and the medial preoptic area (MPOA), suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), median eminence (ME) and arcuate nucleus (ARN) surgically isolated by micropunch. Concentrations of 5-HT and its metabolite (5-HIAA) in these samples were determined by HPLC with ECD. Plasma LH levels were measured by RIA. RESULTS: The delta-agonist significantly reduced 5-HT concentrations in the SCN, ME and ARN, but not in the MPOA. 5-HIAA levels were decreased, but these changes were significant in only t...

Indian journal of experimental biology, 1984

International journal of fertility, 1972

The Journal of endocrinology, 1975

Prostaglandins, 1972

... THE EFFECT OF PROSTAGLANDIN E2 IN INDUCING SEDATION IN TH'E RAT Desmond P. Gilmorel, and... more ... THE EFFECT OF PROSTAGLANDIN E2 IN INDUCING SEDATION IN TH'E RAT Desmond P. Gilmorel, and Abubakar A. Shaikh The ... Denton, IC, White, RP and Robertson, JT "Effects of Prostaglandin El, Prostaglandin Al, and Prostaglandin F2a on Cerebral-Circulation of Dogs ...

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 1990

reduction alters the adult feminine sexual behaviour of golden hamsters. PHARMACOL BIOCHEM BEHAV ... more reduction alters the adult feminine sexual behaviour of golden hamsters. PHARMACOL BIOCHEM BEHAV 35(3) 571-575, 1990.-HPLC analysis of hamster hypothalamic 5HT indicated higher levels in females than in males on day 12 after birth. Levels of 5HT and 5HIAA could be reduced in both sexes by pCPA administration. Male and female hamster pups were treated on days 1-7 or 7-14 after birth with either pCPA, 5HTP or buffer, and tested for feminine and masculine sexual behaviour in adulthood. 5HTP had no effect on behaviour in either sex. pCPA had no effect on masculine sexual behaviour nor did it affect feminine sexual behaviour when given between days 1-7. When administered on days 7-14, pCPA significantly decreased the time that females spent displaying feminine sexual behaviour, while significantly increasing it in males. We, therefore, suggest that serotonin may be modulating a neural substrate already differentiated by androgens.

Neuroscience Letters, 1996

The sub-strain of Albino Swiss rat (AS/AGU) is a spontaneous mutation characterised by an ungainl... more The sub-strain of Albino Swiss rat (AS/AGU) is a spontaneous mutation characterised by an ungainly, staggering gait, hindlimb rigidity, whole body tremor and (when symptoms are fully developed) difficulty in initiating movement; it exhibits a progressive decrease in dopaminergic cells within the substantia nigra. A breeding programme involving Albino Swiss (AS) and AS/AGU parent rats was used to produce the F1 offspring of AS x AS/AGU matings and, subsequently, F1 x AS/AGU back crosses. When adult, the movement of all animals was assessed blind by observers on three occasions, each animal being identifiable by a subcutaneous transponder implanted before weaning. All AS/AGU and half the F1 x AS/AGU back cross animals had abnormal gait, while all AS, FI and the remaining F1 x AS/AGU backcross animals showed normal gait, implying that the mutation is recessive. Brains of males aged 12-15 months In = 10 per group) were sectioned transversely on a cryostat (-20°C) to produce a cut face just caudal to the anterior commissure (approximately Bregma-0.5 mm) and 1 mm diameter x 1 mm deep micropunches were taken from three areas of the caudate-putamen. Levels of dopamine were measured in all samples by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) followed by protein estimation. Levels of dopamine in the dorsal and middle caudate-putamen varied according to a simple inheritance pattern, being high in males from AS, F1 and F1 x AS/AGU back crosses without locomotor impairment, but lower in AS/AGU and F1 x AS/AGU back crosses with disordered gait. Dopamine levels in the ventral caudateputamen did not show such a clear variation.

Neuroscience Letters, 1997

The AS/AGU rat is characterised by an ungainly, staggering gait, hind-limb rigidity, whole body t... more The AS/AGU rat is characterised by an ungainly, staggering gait, hind-limb rigidity, whole body tremor and (in older animals) difficulty in initiating movement. Brains of AS and AS/AGU males aged between 3 and 12 months (n = 10 per group) were sectioned transversely on a cryostat (−20°C) to produce two successive cut faces (corresponding approximately to Bregma +1.2 and −0.5 mm) and 1 mm diameter × 1 mm deep micropunches were taken from four areas of the caudate-putamen. Levels of dopamine in all four areas (measured by HPLC-ECD followed by protein estimation) peaked at around 6 months and then declined in AS and AS/AGU rats. In the dorsal and lateral caudate-putamen, dopamine levels were significantly reduced in AS/ AGU rats compared to AS controls from 6 months onwards. This provides further evidence that the AS/AGU mutant has impairment of its striatal dopaminergic systems.

Neuroendocrinology, 1971

ABSTRACT The site at which norethindrone (NE) acts to block ovulation in the rat was investigated... more ABSTRACT The site at which norethindrone (NE) acts to block ovulation in the rat was investigated by electrochemical stimulation of the preoptic hypothalamus and by the administration of crude bovine median eminence (ME) extracts. Single injections of 0.5 mg NE on different days of the oestrous cycle raised the preoptic threshold for the induction of ovulation. Using 20 μA for 90 sec, there was a significant increase in the number of rats ovulating as compared with NE-treatment alone, only when NE was given on day 1 (oestrus) of the cycle. NE-treatment did not significantly affect the number of rats ovulating in response to ME extract. Compared with NE-treatment alone, NE plus ME extract increased the number of rats ovulating when the NE was given on day 1 of the cycle but not on days 2 and 3. It was concluded that NE exerts its inhibitory action on ovulation in the rat at a site within the central nervous system.Copyright © 1971 S. Karger AG, Basel

Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 1989

Opiate inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) appears to involve changes in hypothalamic monoamin... more Opiate inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) appears to involve changes in hypothalamic monoaminergic activity. Agonists of mu-, kappa-and sigma-opioid receptors and an opiate antagonist were administered at the onset of the preovulatory LH surge and their effects on hypothalamic monoamine turnover, and on plasma LH levels, investigated. The opiate antagonist, naloxone, significantly increased both noradrenaline (NA) turnover and plasma LH levels. Morphine (mu-agonist), significantly decreased NA concentration and plasma LH levels, but significantly increased dopamin'e (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) activity. Levorphanol (another mu-agonist) significantly decreased both NA and 5-HT concentrations and had no effect on circulating LH. Cyclazocine, ketocyclazocine and tifluadom (kappa-agonists) increased NA turnover but only tifluadom increased 5-HT turnover, also reducing LH levels significantly. N-Allylnormetazocine (SKF 10,047; sigma-agonist) increased 5-HT activity but did not alter LH levels. This study has confirmed the existence of a heterogenous group of opioid receptors within the hypothalamus which modulate monoamine neurotransmitters controlling LH release.

Journal of Endocrinology, 1971

SUMMARY Electrochemical stimulation of the basal and preoptic hypothalamus, under sodium pentobar... more SUMMARY Electrochemical stimulation of the basal and preoptic hypothalamus, under sodium pentobarbitone anaesthesia, was carried out on the day of pro-oestrus in normal cycling and in ovarian hormone-treated female rats. Control rats ovulated in response to 25, 50 and 100 μA for 60 s in the median eminence and to 10 μA for 60 s in the preoptic area. Oestradiol (1 μg) given 24 h before median eminence stimulation significantly increased the number of rats ovulating. An injection of progesterone (1 mg) 24 h before median eminence stimulation did not affect the number of animals ovulating or the number of ova shed. In contrast, there was a significant reduction in the number of animals ovulating after preoptic stimulation. Stimulation of the median eminence 2–4 h after progesterone administration increased the number of animals ovulating. The results suggest that both oestradiol and progesterone exert a positive feedback effect at or below the level of the median eminence and that the ...

Journal of Endocrinology, 1969

SUMMARY In the majority of normal cycling female rats, a single injection of norethisterone (0·5 ... more SUMMARY In the majority of normal cycling female rats, a single injection of norethisterone (0·5 mg.) delayed ovulation by 24 hr. The number of animals showing delayed ovulation was dependent upon the stage of the cycle and the time of day at which the steroid was given. Injection on day 1 (oestrus) and day 3 (dioestrus 2) was most effective (80% delay) followed by day 2 (dioestrus 1, 50% delay) and day 4 (pro-oestrus, 0% delay). Oestradiol benzoate (5 μg.) given to norethisterone-treated rats on day 3 largely overcame the delaying action of the steroid. Similarly the injection of progesterone (1 mg.) on day 4 advanced ovulation by 24 hr. in most of the norethisterone-treated rats. It is suggested that norethisterone exerts its effects at both pituitary and hypothalamic levels.

Journal of Endocrinology, 1985

The effect on ovulation of intraventricular infusions of noradrenaline, adrenaline and various ph... more The effect on ovulation of intraventricular infusions of noradrenaline, adrenaline and various pharmacological agents acting on the adrenergic receptor subtypes were investigated in cyclic female rats on the day of pro-oestrus. The inhibitory effects on ovulation of the different infusions were monitored by administering the drugs before 11.00 h (several hours before the critical period for the ovulatory LH surge). In experiments designed to show how the drugs under investigation might stimulate ovulation, pentobarbitone sodium (35 mg/kg) was given at 14.30 h; this anaesthetic inhibits ovulation and its effects can be overcome by substances that advance the preovulatory LH surge. Noradrenaline (an α-agonist) stimulated ovulation when administered on the morning of pro-oestrus to rats injected with pentobarbitone early in the afternoon of the same day. Phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine (non-selective α-antagonists) and clonidine (a selective α2-agonist) all inhibited ovulation when i...

Journal of Endocrinology, 1977

It is generally accepted that the secretion of prolactin from the mammalian pituitary gland is un... more It is generally accepted that the secretion of prolactin from the mammalian pituitary gland is under inhibitory control from the hypothalamus (Meites, 1973). During studies on the development of gonadotrophin secretion in the early human foetus (Gilmore, Dobbie, McNeilly & Mortimer, 1977) it became apparent that up to week 16, the hypothalamus may exert a stimulatory influence over prolactin release which switches to the adult situation as the foetus develops towards term. This communication describes these findings in more detail. Pituitary glands, hypothalami, and cortices were collected from foetuses delivered by hysterotomy between 10 and 19 weeks of pregnancy. The tissues were immediately frozen on solid C02 and stored at-20°C until extracted. Blood samples were taken from each foetus together with a sample of amniotic fluid and maternal blood. Serum was separated and stored with the fluid at-20°C until assayed for prolactin as described previously (McNeilly, 1973; McNeilly & Hagen, 1974). Each foetal pituitary gland was extracted into 1ml 0 1 M-HC1, 4 , containing 10"3M-disopropylphosphofluoridate as enzyme inhibitor (Scott & Lowry,

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 1976

A highly sensitive radioimmunoassay for the gonadotropin releasing hormone has been developed in ... more A highly sensitive radioimmunoassay for the gonadotropin releasing hormone has been developed in order to study its physiological importance in man. In view of the expected low concentrations in peripheral blood, large volumes of human plasma were extracted by two different methods and characteristics of the radioimmunoassayable material compared with those of synthetic decapeptide and extracts of human hypothalami. The results indicate that radioimmunoassayable gonadotropin releasing hormone is present in some human plasmas but the plasma concentration are less than 2.5 pg/ml. Peripheral levels were more consistently measurable in women at midcycle and after the menopause. The hormone was undetectable in the plasma of normel men, human cerebrospinal fluid, and fetal cerebral tissue, but was present in fetal hypothalami.

Endocrinology, 1969

A single injection of 5 μg estradiol benzoate (EB) was given to cycling female rats on Day 1, 2, ... more A single injection of 5 μg estradiol benzoate (EB) was given to cycling female rats on Day 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the cycle (day of cornification = day 1). All rats receiving EB on Day 1 and 54.5 % of those treated on Day 2 showed a prolonged diestrous period (19.3±1.43 and 15.2 ± 1.40 days, respectively) without an intervening ovulation. Treatment on Day 3 or 4 did not prevent the next due ovulation, but the newly formed corpora lutea were maintained for 2–3 weeks (delayed pseudopregnancy). 1 or 0.5 μg EB on Day 1 prolonged diestrus for a significantlysignificantly shorter period than did 5 μg. Estradiol (E) given on Day 1, in a single dose of 5 or 2 μg, resulted in a diestrous period of 9.3 ±2.55 and 9.0±1.57 days, respectively, whereas 1 μg of E resulted in a much shorter diestrous period (6.7 ±1.28 days). Electrical stimulation of the cervix resulted in a diestrous period of 11.9 ± 1.42 days. Deciduomata were induced in most of the rats receiving 1 and 0.5 μg EB, but in none of the rats receiving 5 ng EB and...

Anatomy and Embryology, 2004

Postnatal phenotypic sex differentiation has been investigated in a laboratory marsupial, Monodel... more Postnatal phenotypic sex differentiation has been investigated in a laboratory marsupial, Monodelphis domestica, as part of a larger study to resolve apparent discrepancies between eutherian and marsupial mammals. These include the formation of sex-specific structures in marsupials prior to gonadal differentiation and the retention in both sexes of structures which are sexspecific in eutherians. The time-course and nature of differentiation was investigated in 131 specimens ranging in age from the day of birth to 56 days. Patent wolffian ducts extend to the urogenital sinus in both sexes at birth, while müllerian ducts are identified on day 1 and grow in a cranio-caudal direction to reach the urogenital sinus on day 6. The male müllerian duct shows signs of regression at its cranial end on day 10 and throughout its length on day 12; its lumen has completely disappeared by day 15. By this time the epididymis and vas deferens have developed from the wolffian duct; their histological differentiation occurs between days 26 and 56. Prostatic buds are identifiable in tissue surrounding the male urethra on day 14. In the female, the wolffian duct is larger than the müllerian duct until day 14; thereafter the wolffian duct begins to regress at its cranial end, disappearing by day 17, whereas the müllerian duct begins to enlarge, converging with its fellow at the urogenital sinus by day 19. Lateral vaginae, vaginal culs-de-sac, uteri and oviducts have differentiated from the müllerian ducts by day 25. Gonads of both sexes are elongated in shape at birth, attached along the medial aspect of the large mesonephroi in the abdominal cavity. However, from day 3 onwards the testis becomes more rounded than the ovary. Degeneration of the male mesonephros begins about day 10 and is almost completed by day 19; the female mesonephros is still relatively large at day 14 though it too has almost disappeared by day 19. By postnatal day 13 the abdominal phase of testis descent is underway and the inguinal phase begins at day 15. Testes have reached the scrotal sac by day 24 and achieve their final position at the base of the scrotum by day 28. In summary, postnatal reproductive tract development and gonadal descent has been examined in this important biomedical model, where differentiation of the wolffian and müllerian ducts takes place after gonadal differentiation, according to the normal eutherian pattern.