Metabolism of the Anterior Pituitary Glandin Vitro: Effects of Fasting in Male and Female Rats

The metabolism of glucose-ull4C and glycine-2-l4C by anterior pituitary (AP) in vitro was examined in fasted, refed and underfed rats. Comparison of males and females demonstrated that AP from female rats lost less weight and displayed lesser alteration of glucose metabolism during acute fasting. Synthesis of protein from glycine was little affected by fasting in either sex. Underfeeding for 7 days decreased glucose metabolism equally in male and female AP. Upon refeeding, glucose metabolism was enhanced above the normal fed level in both groups. The data, both morphological and biochemical, suggest that the impact of fasting upon the AP is less marked in females. (Endocrinology76: 1022, 1965)