The Effect of Light upon the Follicular Hormone.

Abstract

In an earlier paper we 1 described an improved method for the preparation of the oestrous hormone from hog liquor folliculi, which was based upon the differences in the solubilities of the hormone and cholesterol in petroleum ether and 70 per cent alcohol. During the past summer we were astonished to find that the procedure was not as satisfactory as was formerly found and that losses of over 50 per cent of the hormone were frequently encountered. Since the only changes in the procedure were those imposed by climatic conditions and the substitution of more carefully purified solvents for the commercial products, it was a relatively easy matter to determine the source of our trouble. By the process of elimination it was found that light exerts a profound effect upon the hormone. It is possible that this was not noticed earlier because the laboratory work upon which the method is based was carried out during the winter months.

In an earlier publication Allen and Ellis 2 call attention to the destruction of the hormone by ultra violet light. Some data, which confirm and extend theirs, have been obtained, but our most striking observations are upon the effect of diffuse daylight from north windows upon the activity of the hormone. That such inert (chemically) substances as hexane will cause a 50 per cent loss of hormone in two days, whereas preparations may be kept in ether or alcohol for two years with little loss, seems remarkable. The data of Tables I and II illustrate the effects of light upon the hormone under various conditions.