HORMONE CONTENT OF HUMAN OVARIAN TISSUES

Abstract

Quantitative analyses of hormone content of isolated tissues of the human ovary have been made by injections of fresh follicular fluid and by implantation of fresh corpora lutea, of follicle walls and of cortical stroma free from macroscopic follicles. The full oestrous reaction of the ovariectomized rat was used as a test. Therefore the hormone sought was that responsible for the genital growth reactions of the periods of oestrus in lower mammals and of theintermenstruum in primates. Three of the recent corpora lutea tested corresponded to unfertilized ova recovered from the uterine tubes. The stage of development of these and other corpora was checked by histologic study. High yields of this hormone were obtained from recent corpora. Corpora of the 1st \ of gestation contained considerable amounts. Two full term corpora gave negative tests. Liquor folliculi and pieces of follicle wall (mostly granulosa cells) contained considerable amounts of this hormone. In 2 cases of long continued bleeding large yields of hormone were obtained from cystic follicles. Cortical stroma without macroscopic follicles, taken from ovaries containing follicles or corpora in which hormone was demonstrated, gave negative tests. These results added to earlier data demonstrate that, as far as the secretion of this hormone is concerned, the human corpus luteum merely continues an activity which is primarily follicular. Removal of parts of ovaries most active in secretion of this hormone, either large follicles or recent corpora lutea[long dash]when done during the intermenstruum[long dash]usually results in the appearance of menstruation within the next 48 hrs.