VARIATIONS IN THE WATER CONTENT OF THE RAT'S UTERUS DURING CONTINUOUS ESTROGENIC TREATMENT1

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Abstract
Continuous treatment of castrated, mature, virgin, albino rats, with 50 mgs. of estradiol dipropionate in oil, caused 2 successful changes in the water content of the uterus. The first, an excessive edema, was due to a large and rapid influx of both intra- and extra-cellular water, which reached its height about 6 hrs. after injn. This was several hrs. before cell division started, and earlier than an increase in O2 consumption was demonstrated. As cell division and growth began, the 2d change in hydration became apparent. This involved a gradual decrease in water which reached a level intermediate between the value for uteri from control animals and from rats 6 hrs. after injn. That the decrease was not due to a lack of estrogen was demonstrated repeatedly by reinjn. which had no influence on the water content of the uterus. The failure of estrogen markedly to influence the water content of other bodily tissues emphasized the specific action of the hormone on genital tissues. The author concludes that continuous stimulation with estrogen causes rapid increase in the water content of the rat''s uterus followed by a drop to an intermediate level which is maintained indefinitely. Changes in hydration of uterine muscles and of endometrium differ only in degree, endometrium having a greater degree of hydration throughout. The water content of the skeletal muscles and liver is not affected by estrogen treatment.