Duration and Nature of Altered Pituitary Function in the Male Rat After a Single Large Dose of Estrogen

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Abstract
The effects of a single large dose (10 and 20 mg) of diethylstilbestrol dipropionate on the pituitary gland of the mature male rat were investigated at intervals up to 312 days. The initial rise in pituitary weight and serum radioimmunoassayable growth hormone and fall in pituitary growth hormone concentration were followed by gradual recovery to normal extending over 5 to 6 months. Testicular weight was diminished until day 136 and adrenal weight was raised until day 114. The early pituitary mitotic activity had subsided to normal by day 69. Pituitary prolactin concentrations as indicated by starch gel electrophoresis were raised on day 28. Enlarged pituitary glands during the period 69 to 140 days also contained increased prolactin concentrations. The individual variations among the rats killed during the latter period included greatly elevated serum growth hormone either with or without increased pituitary weight.