Abstract
Following ovaro-adrenalectomy, oestrogens are still present in the urine; the oestrogen amount is higher in the unfavorable cases than in cases with good result after the removal of the glands. However the oestrogen amount in the urine is not sufficient to predict the course of the disease; frequently low oestrogen values (10 gamma/24 hrs), some days after the surgery, become later very high (80-90 gamma/24 hrs).
With the cytological examination of the vaginal smear it is possible to have a real picture of the oestrogen activity in the organism; with a low (or absent) oestrogen activity all superficial and basal cells are disappeared in the vaginal smear, and appear particular basal cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm.
In favorable cases, with low (or absent) oestrogen activity following ovaro-adrenalectomy, it was observed the presence of other cells, of the intermediate zone, with large nuclei, which are suggestive of a new hormonal activity.
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