Involvement of glutathione in puberty and FSH release

Administration of glutathione subcutaneously to immature female (age and weight matched) rats brings about a pre-ponement of puberty. A significant increase in pituitary, ovaries and uterine mass was observed in the experimental rats. Further, a considerable increase in pituitary FSH levels was also observed after intraventricular injection of glutathione in ovariectomized-steroid primed rats. Intraventricular administration of l-buthionine SR sulfoxamine produced a significant decrease in plasma FSH levels in intact male rats. These studies demonstrate the neuroendocrine role of glutathione on gonadotropins, specifically in relation to FSH release.