Changes in FSH and LH secretion in the ferret associated with the induction of ovulation by copper acetate

The changes in FSH and LH secretion associated with the induction of ovulation by i.v. injection of 5 mg copper acetate were followed in the ferret and found to be influenced by barbiturate anesthesia. In anesthetized estrous animals, the metal ion produced a small initial increase in plasma LH concentration which was followed by a gradual but sustained rise. Anestrous animals responded with a large initial surge of LH release which declined to a plateau some 4 times higher than the basal level and was maintained for at least 6 h. Compared with the anesthetized animals, treatment of conscious estrous ferrets with copper acetate caused an abrupt and much greater initial increase in plasma LH concentration, while in conscious anestrous ferrets the initial surge in plasma LH content was significantly greater than seen under anesthesia, but was followed by a steady decline toward control values. The changes in plasma FSH concentration produced by copper acetate were somewhat similar to those for LH, but were less pronounced.