Abstract
The mammary ducts of male guinea pigs grew following the injection of Δ5-transandrostenediol, testosterone propionate and 17-methyltestosterone. 1 The mammary tissue of immature male and female rats developed following injections of testosterone 2 and so did that of spayed virgin rats given androstanediol and androstenedione. 3 A secretory response in the mammary gland of spayed pre-adolescent female Rhesus monkeys was produced by testosterone propionate, dehydro-androsterone, Δ5-transandrostenediol and androsterone. 4 (See Turner 7 for review.) The injection of various estrogens and progesterone was followed by the growth of the mammary glands in male mice. 5 , 6
The present experiment demonstrated the influence of various estrogenic and androgenic substances and desoxycorticosterone acetate§ on the mammary gland of young unoperated or castrated male mice weighing 16 to 25 g (Table I).
The synthetic crystalline chemicals were dissolved in sesame oil and administered subcutaneously in 8 equal injections, one injection every other day. The mice were killed on the 16th day and all the mammary glands were studied (method described elsewhere 5 ) for quantitative or qualitative differences of response. Usually 5 mice were used in each series.
Mammary glands of the untreated or oil-injected control mice consisted of one main duct with one or several branches. The total duct system extended for a length of one to 3 mm. The glands showing the least response are designated +. These glands equalled or slightly exceeded in size those of the oil-injected controls but showed an increased number of small, broader branching ducts usually terminating peripherally in nodular enlargements. These glands responded definitely but to a limited extent. Glands designated ++ were considerably increased in size and the duct system was increasingly complex.
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