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THE PHYSIOLOGY OF PREGNANCY IN THE RAT: FURTHER DATA ON THE PASSAGE OF HORMONES VIA THE PLACENTA AND THE MOTHER'S MILK
Author(s) -
Hain A. M.
Publication year - 1936
Publication title -
quarterly journal of experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0370-2901
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1936.sp000699
Subject(s) - estradiol benzoate , hormone , medicine , endocrinology , genitourinary system , androsterone , placenta , biology , pregnancy , endocrine system , fetus , physiology , chemistry , steroid , genetics , ovariectomized rat
1. The effect of the ante‐natal administration of œstrone on the morphological development of the female fœtus (rat) was further examined: the minimum amount of œstrone capable of modifying fœtal morphology was ascertained, and the earliest day at which the effect could be induced. Large amounts of œstrone did not cause further abnormalities or affect the male in a similar manner. 2. Experiments with preparations of various ductless glands failed to demonstrate that the action of œstrone was an indirect one. 3. Other compounds related to œstrone in chemical structure were examined: the di‐hydroxy derivative of androsterone (male hormone) was found to affect the morphology of the female fœtus in the same way as œstrone. 4. The benzoate of œstrone has a similar action on the fœtus; the effective amounts of the two forms are compared. The suckling female also is capable of modification when the benzoate is injected into the lactating mother. 5. The urogenital region of the female rat is capable of modification by the direct injection of œstrone on the day of birth. 6. The subsequent reproductive history of litters which came under the influence of œstrone in the early stages of development is examined. 7. The significance of a similar action on the fœtus by both male and female hormones is discussed. 8. The results obtained with the benzoate of œstrone suggest that the concentration reached by the hormone is of more importance in determining the effect on the fœtus than the duration of its activity; they indicate that the effect is brought about by the hormone in its physiologically active form.