EFFECT OF REMOVAL OF OVARIES AND ADRENALS ON OPENING OF THE VAGINA IN THE ALBINO RAT

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Abstract
Since the vagina of ovariectomized rats opens at about the same age as normal animals this indicates that there may be a source of estrogenic hormone outside the ovary. Various lines of investigation have pointed to the adrenals as the point of origin of this material. To determine if these glands are involved in this phenomenon $ albino rats 27-40 days of age were ovariectomized and adrenalectomized and observed to determine the time of vaginal introitus. The animals were fed K-low diet and K-free salt soln. The time of opening was delayed over that found in normal or spayed animals. This indicated that the adrenals produced estrogenic material responsible for vaginal introitus in the absence of the ovaries. However, since normal growth and survival were not obtained there remained the possibility that other developmental factors were involved.