THE EFFECT OF A SINGLE INJECTION OF DIETHYLSTILBOESTROL OR PROGESTERONE ON THE HAMSTER OVARY

Abstract

SUMMARY A single injection of 0·25 mg. stilboestrol or 5 mg. progesterone at metoestrus (day 1) affected follicular development in the hamster ovary in different ways. Stilboestrol induced widespread follicular atresia but apparently did not interfere with the release of ovulating hormone at the end of the oestrous cycle. The atresia produced by stilboestrol appears to be mediated by changes in the levels of circulating gonadotrophin rather than by a direct effect on the ovary. This was demonstrated by injecting pregnant mare serum on day 1 of the cycle followed by stilboestrol treatment at various times thereafter. Under these circumstances the ovulation rate was only reduced below control values when stilboestrol was injected on day 1. Progesterone given on day 1 of the cycle did not interfere with the maturation of healthy Graafian follicles but acted on the terminal stages of follicular growth by blocking ovulation. After a single injection of progesterone, the life span of antral follicles was prolonged to 8–9 days. The ovulation-inhibiting effects of progesterone given on day 1 of the cycle were overcome by the injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin on day 4. Thus, progesterone blocked ovulation indirectly by preventing release of ovulating hormone from the anterior pituitary. The effects of shifting the single injection of stilboestrol or progesterone to the other days of the oestrous cycle are also considered.