OVAEIAN HORMONE EFFECTS IN OVARIECTOMIZED MONKEYS

Abstract

Ovarian hormones were injected into 4 ovariectomized adult female monkeys. In 2 corpora lutea also were implanted. Two experimental menstrual periods followed cessation of injections of oestrous-producing ovarian hormone. Sections of the uteri showed typical menstrual endometria of the non-ovulating type. Three implants of recent human corpora lutea did not increase the growth of the endometrial glands beyond the interval stage. Toward the end of the series of injections considerable amounts of glycogen in the epithelial tissue of the uterus and vagina were demonstrated. Glycogen was relatively scarce in the control tissues. Glycogen was also demonstrated in the epithelial cells sloughed from the vaginal wall. In the vagina it increased in amount as cornification of epithelial cells progressed. The epithelial lining of the uterine tubes of the injected animals showed remarkable recovery from atrophy following ovariectomy. Mitotic division of cells and regeneration of cilia in some regions were demonstrated. Extensive growth was also induced in the mammary glands, including the skin of the nipples. Considerable amounts of the hormone injected were recovered from the urine of experimental animals.