Abstract
Summary and Conclusions
1. Intraocular ovarian transplants of gonadectomized rabbits subjected to ECT show follicular stimulation. Twice as many ES treatments were required as EN to obtain growth. Follicles were observed in all stages of development, including both maturing and cystic. Hemorrhagic follicles occurred frequently but terminated in follicular atresia rather than ovulatory corpora lutea. The experimental animals gave good evidence of estrogen production by the ovarian intraocular transplants in the proliferative condition of both the endometrial transplants and the uteri in situ. (No attempt was made to exclude possible adrenal cortical activity.) This was in direct contrast to the lack of activation and even atrophy of transplants (and uteri in situ) in similarly prepared but non-treated controls. 2. It is known that menstruation may be prevented by maintenance of high estrogen levels. This sometimes occurs in the presence of cystic ovarian follicles as well as during continued administration of estrogens. 3. Continued follicular growth with resultant maintenance of high estrogen secretion may result from stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary neuro-humeral pathways by the electric current. Such a “constant estrus” condition might account for the interruption of the cyclic activity in women receiving ECT, as well as its resumption as treatments are spaced farther apart.
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