The Effect of Follicular Extract on the Generative Organs of Hysterectomized Guinea Pigs.

Abstract

The corpus luteum has the following functions: (1) It sensitizes the uterine mucosa in such a way that mechanical stimuli applied to the sensitized tissue cause the production of placentomata, or the embedding of the ovum calls forth the production of maternal placenta. The corpus luteum also produces a slight predecidual proliferation in the mucosa. 1 (2) The corpus luteum induces a proliferation of the mammary gland, 2 and (3) The corpus luteum prevents ovulation. 3

There are certain changes which occur in the sexual cycle previous to the development and functioning of the corpus luteum, namely, hyperemia and occasional mitoses in the mucosa of the uterus, a slight proliferation of the mammary gland and a marked proliferation of the vaginal epithelium. These latter phenomena are, therefore, not produced through the action of the corpus luteum, but they must be due to the influence of maturing or mature follicles, the development of which coincides with the occurrence of these latter changes. We divided, therefore, the sexual cycle into two phases, (1) the follicular phase and (2) the lutein phase, both of which are dominated by distinct hormones, although in certain respects their effects are similar. 4 Subsequently the experiments of Frank 6 and especially of Allen and Doisy, 5 and later, of many others proved that the contents of ovarian follicles produce certain changes in the sexual organs very similar to those observed during the follicular phase of the cycle. However, Allen, as well as Frank and others, on the basis of their observations, went so far as to identify the follicular hormone with the ovarian hormone in general. In their opinion the corpus luteum was merely a place where the follicular hormone was deposited.