THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FEULGEN AND 2,4-DINITROPHENYLHYDRAZINE REACTIONS IN NORMAL, CASTRATED, ADRENALECTOMIZED AND HORMONALLY TREATED RATS

Abstract

BENNETT (1940) introduced phenylhydrazine hydrochloride as a reagent for the histochemical study of the adrenal cortex. A yellow reaction was observed, which he attributed to the presence of ketonic lipids, presumably the keto-steroids elaborated by the gland. Later, the same reaction was found in the interstitial cells of the testis (Pollock, 1942), in the thecal and luteal cells of the ovary (Dempsey and Bassett, 1943), and in the syncytial layer of the placenta (Wislocki and Bennett, 1943), presumably indicating the presence of the specific keto-steroids produced by these organs (Dempsey and Wislocki, 1946). It was decided to examine the phenylhydrazine reaction in tissues whose activity depends on the presence of keto-steroid hormones. This reaction was found to be present in the seminal vesicles and prostate of the male rat.