EFFECTS OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY, CASTRATION, AND TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE ON HEMOPOIESIS IN THE ADULT MALE RAT1

Abstract

Adult [male] rats of the Long-Evans strain and of 3 to 4 mos. of age were hypophysectomized, and castrated and treated with 2.0 mg. of testosterone propionate. Hypophysectomy caused a severe micro-cytic hypochromic anemia, marked decrease in Hb, hypoplasia of the bone marrow, a decrease in percentage of erythroid elements in the bone marrow, and an increase in the total white cell count. Androgen therapy in hypophysectomized adult [male] rats prevented the decrease in total erythrocyte count, increase in the total white cell count, and hypoplasia of the bone marrow, and partially prevented the hypochromia, microcytosis, and decrease in the total number of erythroid elements. Castration produced a slight decrease in the total erythrocyte count and hemoglobin level, a slight hypochromia, and a slight microcytosis. These changes did not compare in severity with those following hypophysectomy. Androgen therapy in castrated animals produced a hyperplasia of the bone marrow and an increase in the percentage of erythroid elements in the bone marrow. Other factors were not studied in this group. Androgens will stimulate hemopoiesis in the rat but the decrease in antrogen following hypophysectomy would not seem to be the cause of the anemia which is induced by the removal of that gland. There is more and more evidence that the cause of the anemia which follows the removal of the pituitary gland is an upset in metabolism.