Effect of Theelol on Weights of Pituitary,Adrenal and Thyroid

Abstract

Theelol∗ and Theelin∗ differ in their quantitative estrogenic action, in their chemical structure and in their absorbability from the human intestine. 1 , 2 The morphological changes, as evidenced by organ weights, produced by estrin in the form of Amniotin (E. R. Squibb & Co.) have been studied by Leonard, Meyer and Hisaw. 3 No such data is available for Theelol.

We present the variations in weights of the pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands following injections of Theelol.

Eighteen sexually mature albino rats weighing between 160 to 220 gm. were oophorectomized. Twenty-two days were allowed to intervene before injections were begun. Theelol was furnished in tablets containing 2 mg. of active substance, equivalent to approximately 100 rat units. Each rat received 2 tablets daily for 6 days. The tablets were dissolved in 6 cc. of sterile distilled water and injected subcutaneously.

At the end of the period of injection, i. e., the 28th day after castration, the animals were sacrificed. Their glands were removed and weighed on a torsion balance.

Forty-six sexually mature animals weighing between 140 to 269 gm. were sacrificed in 3 groups: 6 rats on the 27th day after castration; 14 rats on the 28th day after castration; 26 rats on the 36th day after castration.

Because of the variation in the weights of the animals and because organ weights vary to a great degree with total animal weights, it was thought desirable to express the organ weights in terms of milligrams of gland per gram of animal weight. This factor was multiplied by an appropriate constant to facilitate plotting on a chart for the purpose of comparison. The factor multiplied by the constant is designated as F K. We believe this gives a more graphic presentation of the data. It is realized that this might give a false impression if the animals had lost a significant amount of weight during the course of the experiment. This, however, was not the case.

Conclusion. Injections of Theelol cause increase in the weights of the pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands as compared with the controls.