THE EFFECT OF INJECTION OF FOLLICULAR EXTRACT ON THE SEX ORGANS IN THE GUINEA PIG AND THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE FOLLICULAR SUBSTANCES AND SUBSTANCES GIVEN OFF BY THE CORPUS LUTEUM

Abstract

Injection of follicular extract accelerates the maturation of the follicles in immature, and in underfed guinea pigs with hypotypical ovaries. Rate of maturation of follicle is not altered by extracts during the period of the sexual cycle nor is the number of follicles increased in pregnant or hysterectomized guinea pigs. The follicular extracts prevent ovulation and therefore lead to sterility as long as the injections are continued. The injection of follicular extracts leads to proliferation of the epithelium of the vagina and pro-iferation processes in the mammary glands but only very slight effects on the uterus. In hysterectomized and pregnant guinea pigs the large, persistent corpus luteum counteracts the effect of the follicular extract on the opening and proliferation of the vagina. The small cyclic corpus luteum inhibits the effect of the extract to a lesser degree. The authors conclude that, "the ovarian follicles and corpus luteum contain or give off substances which are not identical. Some of the effects of these substances on the sex organs are different.".