STIMULATION OF MAMMARY GLANDS IN HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED MALE RATS TREATED WITH OVARIAN HORMONES AND INSULIN

Abstract

Castrated hypophysectomized male rats were injected with estrone, progesterone and zinc protamine insulin at varying dosages and for periods varying from 8-16 days to determine the effect on mammary gland stimulation. In spite of the absence of the anterior lobe of the pituitary, the mammary glands of the duct system though no alveolar development was evident. Two possible explanations are offered either the mammary glands in hypophysectomized rats cannot be made responsive to the action of progesterone by means of insulin; or, the amount of progesterone used in these experiments was insufficient to promote alveolar development.