THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS DOSES OF OESTRONE AND PROGESTERONE ON THE MAMMARY GLANDS OF CASTRATED HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS INJECTED WITH INSULIN

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Abstract
In castrated rats 1 [mu]g estrone daily stimulated only duct growth, but 10 [mu]g daily produced in addition a limited alveolar development. Given for long periods, 10 mg progesterone daily stimulated development of both alveoli and ducts. Combinations of the two hormones had a synergistic effect in stimulating mammary development. In castrated hypophysectomized rats all dose levels of both hormones were completely ineffective in stimulating mammary development. In castrated hypophysectomized rats injected with zinc protamine insulin, estrone (1 or 10 [mu]g daily) produced a slight development of the mammary duct system, but this development was much less than that produced in castrated rats with intact pituitaries. Progesterone (10 mg daily) + insulin did not stimulate mammary development in such animals and there was no clear evidence of any synergism between estrone and progesterone when such animals were also given insulin.