Abstract
Summary
Adrenalectomized - ovariectomized (ADRX-OVARX) rats were injected with 1 μg estradiol benzoate (EB) and 3 mg progesterone (P) per day for 19 days. Groups included those maintained on 1% saline drinking water alone and with 100 μg prednisone and 100, 250, or 1000 μg hydrocortisone acetate (HC) per day and on 250 μg desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) per day. Mammary growth was determined by DNA content of 6 posterior glands. Adrenocorticals in absence of EB and P had no effect on mammary growth. Injection of EB and P plus 100 μg prednisone or 100 or 250 μg HC per day increased DNA significantly above ADRX-OVARX group receiving EB and P plus saline only (P<.01) and not significantly different from OVARX group receiving EB and P. Groups receiving 1 mg HC or 250 μg DOCA per day plus EB and P had DNA levels similar to ADRX-OVARX group on EB and P plus saline. The role of adrenocorticoids in mammary growth is considered to be synergistic by action on general metabolism. The term “mammopoietic” is suggested to describe the adrenocortical effect on mammary growth.
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