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OVARIAN WEIGHT AND OVARIAN COMPENSATORY HYPERTROPHY IN THE RAT AS AFFECTED BY DURATION OF UNDERFEEDING

The detrimental effects of underfeeding on ovarian function in the female rat are characterized by cessation of oestrous cycles and ovarian atrophy (Rinaldini 1949; Piacsek & Meites, 1967). These effects appear to be the result of impaired release of gonadotrophins due to deficient secretion of hypothalamic gonadotrophin releasing factors (Piacsek & Meites, 1967). Decreased basal levels of plasma LH have been demonstrated in female rats after 20 days of restricted feed intake (Howland & Ibrahim, 1971). Not only is gonadotrophin secretion altered in intact animals by underfeeding, but the ability of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to respond to hemiovariectomy is also impaired. When hemiovariectomy was performed after 10 days of underfeeding, hypertrophy of the remaining ovary did not occur during the ensuing 10 days (Howland, 1971). The present study