The plant estrogen, coumestrol, as an agent affecting hypophysial gonadotropic function

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Abstract
Mice bearing intrasplenic ovarian autografts were treated with coumestrol (500 μg/gm diet) and estradiol‐17 β (0.5 μg/day) for 14 days. The splenic grafts of all controls were in various stages of follicular development, whereas some of those receiving estradiol and coumestrol became luteinized. The gonadotropes in the pars distalis of controls were abundant and degranulated. Few PAS‐positive gonadotropes were left after estradiol treatment, showing that the dose used was capable of inhibiting production of gonadotropin. Coumestrol was thought to block release of gonadotropin rather than production since gonadotropes were plentiful and filled with PAS‐positive material.Dietary coumestrol for 10 days at several lower levels produced estrogenic effects on the vagina and uterus of immature mice. However, none of the diets depressed ovarian growth, and it was concluded that no significant inhibition of gonadotropin occurred under these conditions.In general, the results of this study indicate that coumestrol has physiological effects on hypophysial function, relatively large doses are required for antigonadotropic effects, and its primary effect on gonadotropes is to inhibit release.