Abstract
Summary
Bilaterally ovariectomized and sham-operated rats were compared with respect to their conditioning responses in the Noble-Collip drum, and their responses to Zymosan, a RES-stimulating agent. Estrogen-deprivation in castrated animals was confirmed by the presence of atrophic uteri and hypertrophic thymus glands. Gonadectomized animals gained weight during the conditioning process and survived final challenge as well as did controls. There was no difference in the effect of conditioning upon weights of spleen, pituitary or adrenals in the 2 groups. Zymosan treatment resulted in equivalent hypertrophy of liver and spleen, and an equivalent increase in phagocytic activity per unit of tissue in the 2 groups. It was concluded that ovariectomy does not inhibit the response of the RES of the rat to stress or to stimulation with Zymosan. It is suggested that physiologic titers of ovarian hormone are not required during the development of hyperfunctional states of the RES in female rats.
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