Effects of Androgenic Substances in the Female Rat. ∗

Abstract

Butenandt 1 and others (see Koch 2 ) have reported that some of the unsaturated androgens, notably androstene-dione and dehydro-androsterone, will induce estrus in the normal infantile rat. Brow-man 3 reported the cessation of estrous cycles in adult normal rats injected with androsterone and testosterone. In spayed rats Nelson and Gallagher 4 found that androstane-diol and androstene-dione failed to produce vaginal cornification, but did induce uterine and mammary hypertrophy and prevented castration changes in the hypophysis.

The administration of testosteronef (0.5 and 1.0 mg. daily), androsterone (1.5 mg. daily), dehydroandrosterone (1.0 mg. daily) and androstane-dione (1.0 mg. daily) to groups of 2 to 4 spayed female rats for 30 days failed in every case to produce vaginal cornification (as determined by daily smears and histological section). In all cases castration changes were completely or almost completely prevented. Testosterone and androstane-dione in all instances induced definite mammary proliferation and enlargement of the uterus. Androsterone and dehydroandrosterone failed to induce changes in the mammary glands or uterus.

The above androgens, and in addition, androstene-dione, cis-androstenediol and trans-androstenediol have been administered to groups of 2 to 5 adult normal female rats for 16 to 30 days. Daily vaginal smears were made, in each instance, for at least 2 weeks prior to the initiation of and throughout the period of treatment. Normal 4 to 5 day cycles were present in all animals prior to treatment.

Testosterone at the one mg. daily level completely suppressed cycles in one and partially suppressed them in 2 rats. At the 2.0 mg. daily level cycles were completely suppressed (3 animals). The mammary glands showed stimulation and the uteri were enlarged. At the 1.0 mg. level the ovaries appeared unaffected, but at 2.0 mg. the corpora lutea were enlarged. The hypophyses showed degranulation of the basophiles.