PREGNANCY DISTURBANCES IN RATS BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF LARGE DOSES OF SEX HORMONES

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Abstract
Large doses of progesterone, testosterone, androsterone, [DELTA]4 androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone were administered to pregnant rats to elucidate the action of these sex steroids disturbing pregnancy. Absorption or death of the fetus was observed by the administration of a relatively larger doses of these steroids, while various degrees of masculinization of the genetic female offspring was produced by the administration of smaller doses of these steroids ex- cept dehydroepiandrosterone. The degree of masculinization was found to be related with the dose of these sex hormones and also with the period of pregnancy during which they were administered. The highly modified fetus and offspring have oviduct, upper vagina combined with epididymis, vasa deferentia, seminal vesicle, prostate and penis.