THE EFFECTS OF OESTROGEN: ANDROGEN INTERACTION ON THE RETICULO-ENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM AND REPRODUCTIVE TRACT

Abstract

SUMMARY: (1) Oestrone, oestriol, 17β-oestradiol, ethinyloestradiol, oestradiol monobenzoate, diethylstilboestrol, 4-hydroxy-α,β-diethyldibenzyl (HDB), dienoestrol, hexoestrol, triphenylethylene and tri-p-anisylchloroethylene (TACE) stimulated the reticulo-endothelial system (RES) in intact male and in ovariectomized female mice. (2) Testosterone propionate inhibited the vaginal smear response to all the above oestrogenic compounds. It also inhibited the RE stimulation produced by oestrone, oestriol, ethinyloestradiol, oestradiol monobenzoate, triphenylethylene and TACE but had no effect on RE stimulation by diethylstilboestrol, HDB, dienoestrol or hexoestrol; it markedly potentiated the stimulant effect of 17β-oestradiol on the RES. (3) The effect on the RES of oestrogen: androgen interaction does not appear to be dependent on the type of androgen used.