On the relation between the anterior pituitary body and the gonads.- Part II. The induction of ovulation in the anæstrous ferret

Abstract

Ovulation may be induced in the anoestrous ferret by the administration of certain preparations containing the gonad-stimulating substance or substances of the anterior pituitary body. Other preparations, however, resulted in the formation of large cystic follicles or in the coincident growth and partial luteinisation of follicles. In all cases where ovulation occurred, as well as in many others, the anoestrous accessory organs (uterus, vagina and vulva) underwent the changes typical of oestrus as a result of the ovarian stimulation. Following ovulation, corpora lutea develop and function with or without further administration of extracts. In correlation with this ovarian development, pseudo-pregnant changes take place in the uterus. Owing to failure to induce spermatogenesis in the male, pregnancy was not obtained during anoestrus, though copulation occurred between treated males and treated females. There can be little doubt, however, that the ova from the induced ovulations were fertilisable, and that implantation could have taken place.