Abstract
In a report 1 dealing with the effect of Antuitrin-S on the mature human ovary, it was pointed out that the response was not similar to that obtained in the rodent. It was therefore planned to inject a series of immature human females and examine their pelvic organs. Naturally such an opportunity is limited, for the cases must be selected from patients who are suffering from diseases that are of themselves fatal.
We have had opportunity to study 2 cases, one an infant of 10 months and one of 18 months. Both were suffering from tuberculous meningitis, proved by bacteriological examination of the spinal fluid and later confirmed at autopsy.
In the first case a 10 months infant received a total of 2,500 rat units of Antuitrin-S† in 5 divided doses over a period of 96 hours. The injections were given intramuscularly in the buttocks. The last injection was given 12 hours before death. At autopsy the ovaries both macroscopically and microscopically presented no evidence of follicular maturation or luteinization. The uterine mucosa showed no evidence of hypertrophy or cystic glandular hyperplasia. The second case, an infant of 18 months, also received a total of 2,500 rat units of Antuitrin-S. The last injection in this case was 16 hours before death. At autopsy the ovaries both macroscopically and microscopically presented no evidence of follicle maturation or luteinization. One ovary showed a tiny pinpoint area of hemorrhage on the surface. The uterine mucosa did not show any variation from the normal.
Several patients desperately ill with gastro-intestinal and brain tumors received similar or greater amounts, but recovered from their illnesses.
The examination of a complete series of cases up to the age of puberty will of necessity require much time.
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