THE EFFECT OF GROWTH-INHIBITING CONDITIONS UPON THE LEVATOR ANI MUSCLE OF THE RAT

Abstract
The effect of known protein-catabolic conditions on the levator ani muscle of male rats was studied. The growth-inhibiting states studied were hypothyroidism, severe hyperthyroidism, castration, and admn. of cortisone. In these conditions it was found that the levator ani muscle of the male rat reflects the general loss of body tissue. Thyroid substance restores to the castrate level the atrophic levator ani muscle of the castrate hypothyroid rat. The levator ani muscle of the normal male rat is a more responsive assay modality for protein catabolism than the muscle of the castrate rat. Responsiveness of the levator ani muscle to agents free of androgenic activity is again demonstrated.