THE ACTION OF DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE ACETATE ON THE MAMMARY GLAND OF THE IMMATURE OVARIECTOMIZED RAT

Abstract
Desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) exerts a progesterone- like action on the uterus (Van Heuverswyn, et al., 1939a; Engle, 1941; Masson, 1943) and mammary gland (Mixner and Turner, 1942; Trentin and Turner, 1948; Speert, 1940) of several laboratory animals. It also shows estrogen-like activity on the mammary gland (Van Heuverswyn, et al., 1939b; Leonard and Reece, 1942.) However, no comprehensive study of its action on the mammary gland of the rat has been undertaken. The experiments reported here were designed to elucidate the action of DCA on the mammary gland of the immature ovariectomized rat, alone, and in combination with estradiol or progesterone. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four day-old female albino rats were ovariectomized. Treatment was begun on the 29th day with daily subcutaneous injections of the hormones in sesame oil with the exception of the highest dose of DCA which was administered in propylene glycol.3