Abstract
It has been shown that, by utilizing the synergistic action of certain pituitary extracts, otherwise unappreciable amounts of a “prolan-like” gonadotropic substance may easily be demonstrated in adult male urine concentrates 1 and in the urine of male and female children. 2 We have extended such observations to the blood of normal humans of both sexes and at varying ages.
The method employed was similar to that used in our previous work on urines. 2 The ammoniated alcohol extract of sheep pituitary which we used, when injected into 25-day-old rats over a 3-day period, resulted in ovaries weighing about 24 mg. at the end of 96 hours. The uteri were not affected. The injection of 1 cc. of human blood serum daily, for 3 days, caused no change in the ovaries or uteri of similar rats at the end of the same time interval.
When the above injections were combined, surprisingly great changes were observed. The blood sera of 34 individuals, both male and female, and ranging in age from 2-66 years, invariably caused augmentation of ovarian weight. These weights reached as high as 140 mg., the average being about 80 mg. (200-600% augmentation). The ovaries were heavily luteinized. In addition, the vagina was open in most cases and the uterus was considerably enlarged, weighing between 65-80 mg. The uteri were not distended with fluid.
When synergized by a suitable pituitary extract, the injection of 1 cc. of human blood serum per day for 3 days has been shown to produce an augmentation in the weight of the 25-day-old rat's ovaries equivalent to that produced by 5-10 rat units of A-PL. The gonadotropic substance in the serum resembles pure “prolan B” in its luteinizing and synergistic properties.
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