Effects of progesterone, oestradiol and/or clomiphene on liver glycogen and blood glucose in intact and adrenalectomised rats during delayed implantation

Abstract

Prolonged administration of progesterone alone caused significant changes in liver glycogen. Oestradiol-17β increased the liver glycogen 18 hours after the treatment. A single administration of clomiphene citrate on day 9 post-coitum (pc) inhibited the oestradiol or progesterone induced increase in hepatic glycogen. Bilateral adrenalectomy on day 3 pc abolished the changes in liver glycogen induced by progesterone, oestradiol and/or clomiphene. Administration of progesterone, oestradiol or clomiphene caused a decrease in blood glucose levels in rats during delayed implantation. Although the effects of progesterone and oestradiol on blood glucose levels were abolished by adrenalectomy, clomiphene induced changes persisted in the adrenalectomised rats. It is concluded that progesterone, oestradiol and/or clomiphene induced changes in liver glycogen are mediated through the adrenal glands. Changes in the blood glucose levels are discussed in relation to increased insulin level in the blood and also in relation to the increased glucocorticoid secretion following various treatments.