Abstract
The work of Herrick 1 concerning ovariectomy and transplantation in relation to the maintenance of pregnancy in the guinea-pig seems to offer evidence contradictory to that reported by previous workers, among others, Fraenkel, 2 Marshall and Jolly, 3 Dripps, 4 Harris. 5 Their results indicated the necessity of the corpus luteum at least during the first half of pregnancy. Herrick, employing virgin ovaries for his grafts, and therefore no corpora lutea of pregnancy, concludes that the substance in the ovary responsible for the maintenance of gestation is not confined to the corpus luteum.
In view of the apparently contradictory results obtained by Herrick it was thought well to make a more thorough study of this phase of the factors involved in the maintenance of pregnancy and if possible to throw some light upon the true rôle played by the corpus luteum. The animal selected for this work was the albino rat, 19 experimental cases serving as the basis for this report.
The exact time of copulation was observed in each instance and the dates of the various stages of pregnancy were calculated therefrom.
The ovaries used as grafts were taken from virgin or from immature females in all except 2 cases, pregnant ovaries being there employed. The implants were made between the abdominal rectus muscles in a small pocket. Transplantations were made at different stages of pregnancy (9th, 12th, and 13th days) and extirpation of the host's ovaries was performed in all cases on the 13th or 14th day. A small proportion of the grafts failed to take (3 out of 20), in which event resorption or absorption ensued. This failure was demonstrated by a careful autopsy revealing complete fibrous infiltration on the site of the graft.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.