MASCULINIZING EFFECTS OF A TESTICULAR INTERSTITIAL CELL TUMOUR GRAFT ON FEMALE RATS

in Journal of Endocrinology
Author:
NATALIE POURREAU-SCHNEIDER
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SUMMARY

An androgen-producing testicular interstitial cell tumour of rats was grafted into intact and spayed female rats. The tumour inhibited luteinization, produced follicular atresia, stimulated the uterine myometrium and endometrium, and caused vaginal mucus formation. Anoestrus set in and mating behaviour disappeared, rendering gestation impossible. After surgical removal of the tumour, the masculinization disappeared rapidly. With the return of vaginal oestrus (sometimes only 4 days after removal of the tumour) most of the rats mated and gave birth to normal young. When a palpable nodule reappeared, the reproductive function was again lost. The tumour produced similar changes in the target organs of spayed females. The inhibitory action of the endocrine tumour on pituitary gonadotrophic hormone production was shown by the absence of castration cells in the pituitary of the tumour-bearing spayed female.

 

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