INTRAVENOUS ASSAY OF PREPARATIONS CAUSING OVARIAN HYPEREMIA IN THE IMMATURE RAT

Abstract

IN A PREVIOUS communication (Sturgis and Haour, In Press), the results of a one hour intravenous test for pregnancy were reported. The induction of a bright red ovarian hyperemia in the immature rat by 2 cc. of unaltered urine introduced into the jugular vein was obtained in 96 out of 103 normal pregnancies. It was emphasized that besides the rapidity of the test, this method has the further advantage that the technician is assured through direct vision that all of the prepared material to be tested is added to the animal’s circulation. Variations in rate of absorption as encountered with subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injections are thus eliminated. This modification of the widely used rat hyperemia response is particularly appropriate to studies of effective doses of various hormone preparations. Standardization of the dose biologically assayed by each animal is achieved, and small groups of animals may be used to establish response to test solutions.