THE ACTION OF A SYNTHETIC OESTROGENIC AGENT ON THE ANTERIOR PITUITARY OF THE CASTRATED FEMALE RAT

Abstract

Twenty mature [female] rats, castrated for a period of 30 days, which received daily injections of a synthetic estrogenic agent, 9:10-dihydroxy-9:10-di-n-propyl-9:10-dihydro-l:2; 5:6-dibenzanthracene, daily throughout this period, remained in either a continuous or almost continuous oestrus. The pltuitary weights were increased as compared with those of 30 day castrate controls. The structural changes which normally occur in the ant. hypophysis of the [female] rat following castration were prevented. Degranulation of practically all the basophiles and of many of the eosinophiles was induced. Cell counts revealcd that both chromophilic cells were reduced in %; the basophiles to an extreme degree, the eosinophiles moderately. The chromophobes were increased in % inversely. In 2 animals, cystic glandular hyperplasia of the uterus was induced.