THE VALUE OF THE MELANOPHORE REACTION IN RANA ESCULENTA (KONSULOFF-REACTION) AS A PREGNANCY TEST

Abstract

The investigations served a double purpose, viz., an evaluation of the Konsuloff test (melanophore dispersal in hypophysectomized frogs) as a pregnancy reaction, and an attempt at determining the nature of the principle responsible for the reaction. Only R. esculenta were used. The method of assay and the criteria of response are described carefully. Urine samples from 525 women were examined both with the Aschheim-Zondek reaction and the Konsuloff reaction. The cases included non-pregnant women and women with normal or disturbed pregnancy (missed abortion, ectopic pregnancy, etc.). Since in many cases clinical control was not available, exact figures for the percentage of errors in the Konsuloff and Aschheim-Zondek reaction could not be given, but the reliability of both reactions seemed to be the same. The active principle is probably the hypophyseal melanophore hormone, which during pregnancy is excreted in an increased concn., but only in primates. It is suggested that progesterone stimulates the formation of the melanophore-expanding hormone in the hypophysis.