INFLUENCE OF AGE AND PRESENCE OF THE OVARIES ON REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION IN RATS INJECTED WITH ANDROGENS1

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Abstract
A standard dose of 36 mg. of testosterone propionate was administered in 12 injections over a period of 4 weeks to [female] rats of different ages. Injs. beginning the 15th, 20th, 30th, 40th or 120th days of age caused no permanent impairment of reproductive function. After reaching maturity [female][female] subjected to this treatment ran normal estrous cycles, mated and bore litters. When the injs. were started the 5th or 10th day, the animals later showed permanent defects in several features of reproductive structure and function. They failed to display cyclic estrus. Ovulation and luteinization did not occur. The uteri differentiated abnormally and responded poorly to injected estrogen. Ovariectomized animals of this type were not normally reactive to estrus-inducing hormones. A similar lack of responsiveness was observed in 2 rats spayed at birth and treated with androgen. The decreased sensitivity to estrogen, therefore, was not brought about by ovarian secretions.

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