EFFECTS OF OESTRADIOL AND PROGESTERONE ON THE NUCLEIC ACID AND PROTEIN CONTENT OF THE RABBIT UTERUS

Abstract

The administration of estradiol, 10 ug daily for 7 or 14 days, increases both the protein and pentose nucleic acid concentrations in the myometrium and the endometrium of the rabbit uterus when administered after castration of the animal. This result may be interpreted as a quantitative chemical expression for a growth- stimulating effect of this hormone. Progesterone, administered to castrated female rabbits at the rate of 3 mg daily for 7 consecutive days, causes a decreased concentration of both the protein and pentose nucleic acid in both uterine tissues indicating a growth-inhibiting capacity of this hormone. These results with progesterone are obtained both without previous estradiol treatment and in certain combinations with estradiol treatment. The combined treatment with both hormones results in considerably more changes in the endometrium than in the myometrium.