THE ANDROGENIC ACTIVITY OF OVARIAN TRANSPLANTS TO THE SEMINAL VESICLE OF THE CASTRATED ADULT MALE RAT1

Abstract

Ovarian material obtained from virgin and pregnant rats of varying ages was transplanted to a seminal vesicle of an adult castrated or castrated-adrenalectomized male rat. This procedure prevented to a considerable extent atrophy in the reproductive accessories. The androgenic capacity is reflected in histologically and cytologically evident signs of stimulation, as well as partial weight maintenance of the seminal vesicle-prostate complex of the castrated hosts. Implants of 15-day-old testis as well as autografts of this material also serve to maintain the accessories, while grafts of pancreatic, salivary, thyroid, fetal membrane and placental tissue do not alter the castrate picture. Cholesterol, estrone and progesterone crystals introduced into the vesicle have no androgenic effects, but the efficacy of testosterone pro-pionate crystals is well demonstrated since each organ receiving this steroid weighs more than twice as much and shows greater histological activity than the normal organ. The contralateral gland and the ventral prostate of these animals are identical with those of the normal animal. Ovarian grafts were normal and the greatest degree of androgenicity appears to involve luteinization of the follicles. The testicular grafts assume the typical cryp-torchid condition. The pancreatic grafts become necrotic and salivary implants regress, but the autografted thyroid as well as the fetal membrane and placental grafts appear well differentiated. Examination of recovered transplants of corpora lutea reveals that development of apparently full sized ovaries occurs. Proliferation of fragments of ovary adhering to the corpora lutea may be presumed to produce this result. It is concluded that an ovarian graft displays androgenic activity when transplanted to the seminal vesicle and that lower thermal surroundings are, therefore, not indispensible for androgen production by such transplants.