EFFECTS OF BREEDING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OVARIAN, ADRENAL, AND UTERINE LESIONS IN DBAXCE AND RECIPROCAL HYBRID MICE1

Abstract

After 6-8 months of age virgin female DBA x CE and reciprocally crossed hybrid mice spontaneously develop hyperovarianism in association with delay in the regression of corpora lutea, proliferation of "A" cells in the adrenal cortex and marked glandular and muscular hyperplasia of the uterus. Females mated at 2-4 months of age, however, breed vigorously until well after 12 months of age. The present study was made to determine the effects of breeding on the hyperovarian syndrome. Microscopic study of the ovaries, adrenals and uteri of females 16-24 months of age which had produced and raised 2-10 litters apiece revealed that the morphologic manifestations of endocrine imbalance were either partially or completely suppressed.