THE INFLUENCE OF ESTROGEN AND ANDROGEN ON THE OVARIAN RESPONSE OF HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED IMMATURE RATS TO GONADOTROPINS1

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Abstract
The effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), pregnant mares serum gonadotropin (PMS), and anterior pituitary gonadotropin (APG) were studied singly and in combination with each other and with diethylstilbestrol (DES) and testosterone propionate (TP) on the ovaries of the hypophysectomized immature rat. Ovarian weight and histological changes produced by these treatments were noted. DES was found to augment APG, but not HCG or PMS. This augmentation was evidenced by ovarian weight gain and corpus luteum formation. Certain similarities of the effects of PMS, HCG, and APG to those of estrogen and androgen were found. TP antagonized the follicular development produced by APG and DES. HCG caused striking thecal luteinization of the cystic follicles produced by both PMS and APG, and a substantial ovarian weight gain. DES exerted protective effects on the ova and granulosa cells in various situations. "Combination follicles," which were partially luteinized, yet contained healthy granulosa cells and ova, were produced by the combination of PMS, HCG, and DES. APG was found to retard or prevent premature thecal luteinization, while HCG, and to a lesser extent PMS, promoted this phenomenon.