POLYARTHRITIS PRODUCED IN RATS BY TREATMENT WITH PROLACTIN AND GROWTH HORMONE

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Abstract
Prolactin and growth hormone when given in combination cause polyarthritis in the adrenalectomized desoxycorticosterone-maintained (1 mg. every second day) and in the hypophysectomized rat. The pituitary hormones were administered separately in two daily subcutaneous injections of 0.5 mg. during eight days in the former animals, and in single daily injections of 1 mg. during 20 days in the latter. The dosage was then doubled until completion of the experiments, which lasted 15 and 30 days respectively. In adrenalectomized rats, the joint lesions occurred suddenly after ten days of treatment and were acute in nature. Coincident to the development of arthritis, the animals showed hyperthermia and often died with hypoglycemic convulsions. In hypophysectomized rats, the reaction appeared more insidiously after 20 days'' treatment and evolved in a more chronic manner. Prolactin seems to play a greater role than does the growth hormone in the pathogenesis of these arthropathies, since their incidence is not related to the anabolic condition of the animals. Furthermore, it is suggested that the state of adrenal insufficiency may be an important predisposing factor.

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