Effects of Androgen upon Reproductive Organs of Normal and Castrated Fetuses with Note on Adrenalectomy.

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Abstract
This report deals with progress of studies designed to determine whether in placental mammals the normal, prenatal development of the reproductive organs is influenced by hormones. The following methods were used: 1) pregnant mothers were injected subcutan. with testosterone propionate in oil, 2) fetuses were castrated or castrated and then adrenalectomized, 3) certain castrated fetuses were given pellets of testosterone propionate, subcutan. The effects of hormones were judged from volumetric detns. of reproductive organs, based upon serial sections of the fetus. The data suggest that the fetal testes produce a hormone which accelerates the growth of such accessory reproductive organs as the seminal vesicles and the bulbo-urethral glands. If the adrenals of fetal d"cf produce any such hormone, the quantity is not sufficient to prevent the effects of castration upon the accessory reproductive organs.