39° INANITION AND MALNUTRITION 



In the young, inanition usually causes a variable degree of atrophy in the 

 ovary, or more rarely a slight persistent growth occurs. Chronic underfeeding 

 results in the retardation or repression of sexual development in general. On 

 adequate refeeding, as in adults, the normal weight and structure are usually 

 recovered promptly, excepting extreme cases. 



During hibernation, the ovaries in general appear resistant to inanition. 

 The changes in the ovarian interstitial cells appear variable. During the 

 migration of the fasting salmon, the ovaries undergo an enormous development 

 at the expense of other tissues, notably the trunk musculature. 



Various forms of partial inanition apparently produce in the ovary atrophic 

 and degenerative changes similar to those during total inanition, although 

 detailed data upon these effects are scanty. 



The mammalian uterus, in addition to the cessation of menstruation and 

 related phenomena of the estrous cycle (due to the disturbance of the ovarian 

 endocrine function), may also present evidences of direct effects of inanition. 

 The loss in weight usually appears marked, with congestion and degenerative 

 changes. The uterine glands undergo atrophy, although mitoses persist in the 

 gland cells. Similar atrophic changes likewise occur in the uterine tubes 

 (oviducts) of inframammalian species. 



Abortions or complete resorption of the embryo and membranes may result 

 from severe inanition during pregnancy. Evans and Bishop find that the 

 lack of a special dietary factor "X" results in abnormal placentation, with 

 resorption of the implanted ovum, in the albino rat. Resorption has also been 

 found during underfeeding (Barry). 



i. OVARY 



The effects upon the ovary will be considered under (A) total inanition (or on 

 water only), and (£>) partial inanition. 



(A) Effects of Total Inanition, or on Water Only 



The data for the human species (adult and children) will be mentioned 

 first; and the effects upon the lower animals will be taken up later. 



Human Adults. — Although amenorrhea directly concerns the uterus, it is 

 now known to be indirectly due to ovarian disturbance in most cases, and may 

 therefore be mentioned in this connection. Gaspard (1821) noted that during 

 a famine in France in 181 7 the menses ceased in many women, and pregnancies 

 were reduced to half the normal number. Lucas (1826) stated "Dass die 

 Menstruation bei einer langeren Enthaltung von Nahrungsmitteln aufhore, 

 ist zu erwarten, und geht auch fast aus alien Geschichten einer langen Enthal- 

 tung von Speisen hervor." 



Slavjansky ('70) noted that in certain emaciating diseases (tuberculosis, 

 typhus abdominalis) in adult women there is amenorrhea, with atrophy and 

 regressive changes in the ovarian ova and follicles. 



