STIMULATION OF THE SEX ACCESSORIES OF HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED MALE RATS BY NON-GONADOTROPHIC HORMONES OF THE PITUITARY GLAND

Abstract

Adolescent hypophysectomized-castrated male rats were given pituitary factors and their effects on the ventral prostates were noted. Neither gonadotropins nor thyroxin was found to stimulate growth of the male sex accessories in the absence of testes and pituitary gland. Pituitary growth hormone, given at dosages of 0.25 mg and above, consistently increased the weight of the ventral prostate. ACTH induced histologically detectable androgen production at moderate dose levels. Insignificant weight increases were observed. The mechanism whereby ACTH and the growth hormone exercised their effect on the sex accessories were separate and distinct from one another.