THE EFFECT OF OESTRADIOL MONOBENZOATE ON FOLLICLES OF VARIOUS SIZES IN THE OVARY OF THE HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RAT

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Abstract
Hypophysectomy in the normal immature rat causes, after 1-3 days, a decrease of the growth rate of ovarian follicles. The percentage of atretic follicles, and of antra (where expected) is unchanged. Max. follicle diam. falls from 420[mu] to 362[mu] at 3 days, and to 312[mu] at 6 days after hypophysectomy. A limited degree of growth is possible in the absence of the hypophysis. The growth of small follicles and pre-follicular stages of the egg cell is accelerated by estradiol benzoate after a 1-day latent period. Atresia is unchanged, and antrum formation is diminished. Follicular growth occurs, and the granulosa matures and shows many mitoses. The ovary does not maintain normal structure, however, and other substances besides estradiol are needed for this purpose.