Abstract
The hormones referred to are (1) the ovarian hormone (theelin, oestrin, folliculin) and (2) the active principle of the anterior lobe of the hypophysis which stimulates development of ovarian follicles and culminates in ovulation. The simplest and most decisive test for the former is the full oestrous growth reaction of the epithelium of the genital tract of the ovariectomized adult rat determined by the characteristic changes in the cell content of vaginal smear preparations. One of the best tests for the second active substance is the reaction of the normal immature rat which results in the attainment of puberty including the first ovulation. This is accomplished by stimulation of rapid growth in the ovarian follicles which in turn produce the follicular hormone which causes rapid growth in the genital organs.
It has been demonstrated repeatedly that the human placenta contains large amounts of folliculin, the total increasing with the growth of the placenta as pregnancy progresses. Positive tests have been obtained from fetal membranes of the cow, sheep and horse but negative tests so far from zonular placentas of the cat and dog. The urine of pregnant women and cows furnishes an abundant source of this hormone. The gonad stimulating principle of the anterior pituitary is also present in human urine during pregnancy.
We have tested 2 full term placentas of the monkey, Macacus rhesus, for ovarian hormone and the urine of one pregnant monkey for both this and the anterior pituitary hormone.
As shown by Hartman, the gestation period in monkeys is approximately 6 months long. The placentas used for these tests were obtained by Dr. Hartman from 2 of the monkeys photographed by him during parturition. They were preserved in alcohol and sent us for extraction.
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