RESPONSE OF METRIAL GLAND TO TREATMENT WITH VARIOUS STEROIDS

Abstract

Metrial gland tissue could be maintained in the spayed rat for a considerable length of time by continuous progesterone treatment. Estradiol tended to counteract this effect, while testosterone, desoxycorticosterone acetate and pregnenolone did not antagonize it. Testosterone, desoxycorticosterone acetate and pregnenolone as well as progesterone could prevent the involution of metrial glands in the spayed but otherwise untreated rat. The present exptl. series confirms the view that the metrial gland cells are directly under hormonal control. It appears most probable that the ability of a steroid to maintain the metrial glands of gonadectomized [female][female] is merely a special manifestation of its luteoid activity.