THE ROLE OF THE STEROID HORMONES IN THE RELAXATION OF THE SYMPHYSIS PUBIS OF THE GUINEA PIG1

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Abstract
Since the discovery by Hisaw (1926) that the separation of the pubic bones in the guinea pig was under the control of a specific substance which was later called relaxin, several controversies have arisen. These controversies are concerned with the identity of this relaxative substance as distinct from the crystalline steroid hormones and with the role played by the steroids in the phenomenon of pubic relaxation. Relaxin was first obtained from the blood of pregnant rabbits (Hisaw, 1926; Brouha and Simmonet, 1928; Tapfer and Haslhofer, 1935; Abramson, Hurwitt and Lesnick, 1937; Marder and Money, 1944). It has also been found in the blood of pregnant sows, dogs, cats, mares and in placentae of rabbits (Hisaw 1927 and 1929), blood of pregnant guinea pigs Hisaw (1927), Zarrow (1947), blood of pregnant women (Pommerenke, 1934; Abramson et al., 1937), and corpora lutea of the sow (Hisaw, 1927; Brouha and Simmonet, 1928; Abramson et al., 1937).