Control of Decidual Growth in the Rat by Steroid Hormones of the Ovary

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Abstract
Massive deciduomata weighing 2,000 mg per uterine horn were induced mechanically in intact pseudopregnant rats. Castration and treatment with progesterone evoked maximal responses of only 1,000 mg. The concomitant administration of estradiol or estrone with progesterone reproduced the decidual weight observed in intact rats, but estriol in combination with progesterone was only slightly effective. The decidual cell response was found to be sensitive to alteration in steroid ratio as well as in absolute dose levels. The water content of deciduomata in intact rats was 84.3%. Only those combinations of hormones that produced maximal weights could reproduce the water content observed in the intact pseudopregnant rat. It was concluded that progesterone alone was incapable of reproducing the weight and water content of the deciduomata of intact pseudopregnant rats, and that combinations of estrogen and progesterone that were effective were similar to those reported for the optimal maintenance of gestation.