Diabetogenic Effect of Two Synthetic Estrogens in Force-Fed, Alloxan-Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Twelve [male] rats having mild alloxan diabetes were used as test animals in this study. They were force-fed a medium carbohydrate diet. Two synthetic estrogens were tested, each of which represents a chemically different series of compounds than have previously been tested for diabetogenicity. Substance I was 2,4-di(p-hydroxyphenyl)-3-ethyl hexane, and Substance II was l,2-dimethyl-2-carboxy-7-methoxy-l,2,3,4,9,-10-hexahydrophennathrene. Substance I caused exacerbation of the diabetes n 5 of 6 test animals. The 6th rat did not have a spontaneous glycosuria and failed to respond to the estrogen. Substance II intensified the glycosuria in all 6 test animals and appeared to be the more potent of the 2 compounds. When the injns. were stopped, the glycosuria decreased to its pre-injn. level or below.