EFFECTS OF ESTROGENS AND OTHER STEROIDS ON CAPILLARY PERMEABILITY11

Abstract

Estrogens as well as progesterone, testosterone dipropionate, and D.C.A. produce a relatively specific increase in the permeability of the capillaries of rat uterus and vagina. Quantitative differences exist, however, in the amts. of hormone required to produce this capillary permeability response, relatively large amts. of D.C.A., progesterone, and testosterone being required to simulate the effects of small amts. of estrogens. The adm. of relatively large doses of these steroids is without significant effect upon the capillaries of other tissues. Investigation of the mechanism by which estrogen affects the uterine capillaries revealed that the hormone acts directly upon the uterus and does not require the intermediation of other tissues. The relationship of these findings to uterine and extrauterine fluid accumulation is discussed.