HORMONAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE SURVIVAL OF ADRENALECTOMIZED MICE

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Abstract
Adrenalectomized normal and castrated mice of the A strain survived 3-7 days. Adm. of testosterone propionate was not harmful to adrenalectomized mice and was probably not helpful, while estradiol benzoate in any but the most minimal dose was toxic. Progesterone in 1 mg. daily doses maintained life in 10 adrenalectomized mice treated; 5 of 10 animals survived on 0.6 mg. daily. Desoxycorticosterone acetate was effective in ameliorating symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, but was very toxic even in doses of 025 mg. if given in conjunction with 2% salt in the drinking water. Pregnant mare serum was ineffective in [male][male] and castrates, but pretreatment of [female][female] for 35 days before adrenalectomy luteinized the ovaries to such an extent that the survival period fell between that following 0.5 mg. and 1.0 mg. doses of progesterone. Longer periods of pretreatment (75 days) were less effective. Pregnancy and pseudopregnancy had little if any protective action. Progesterone in sufficient amts., whether produced by the ovary or injected, protects against the fatality of adrenalectomy in mice, and adrenalectomy may be used to distinguish between the endogenous production of large amts. of progesterone and [male] hormone.

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