| Citation | Distinguished for his contributions to endocrinology and physiology of reproduction and especially to the study of comparative aspects of reproduction in mammals.
Having developed methods for measuring progesterone and other steroidal sec hormones in blood and tissues, Short investigated and defined hormonal changes associated with normal oestrus, pregnancy and parturition, and with certain endocrine disorders such as the Stein-Leventhal syndrome. He discovered 20 beta-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one in equine placental tissue and isolated 19-norandros-tenedione and 6alpha-hydroxyoestradiol-17beta from equine follicular fluid. He developed the new 'two-cell type' concept of ovarian function, based on the observation that the theca interna and granulosa cells of the Graafian follicle differ in their steroid biosynthetic potential. He made substantial contributions to the knowledge of mechanism underlying sex determination, intersexuality and the endocrine control of sexual behaviour, both in domesticated and wild animals. His publications number nearly 100. His scientific achievements have been recognized recently by medals from both the Zoological Society of London and the Society for Endocrinology. |