GONADOTROPIC SUBSTANCES 



the operation. Whether or not ovulation can be produced in 

 the complete absence of anterior pituitary secretion cannot 

 be definitely decided from these data. They suggest, how- 

 ever, that some pituitary secretion must be present in the 

 body-fluids if the intravenous injection of prolan is to cause 

 ovulation. 



The efect oj prolan on the genital tract of the female guinea 

 pig, ferrety cat, and dog.^^ — It appears that the ovaries of the 

 immature guinea pig are much less readily altered by the in- 

 jection of prolan than are those of the mouse, rat, and rabbit. 

 Follicular development or follicular atresia, hypertrophy or 

 luteinization of the interstitial cells, and luteinization of the 

 theca and membrana granulosa can be produced by large 

 doses of prolan repeatedly administered (Watrin, 1929; De 

 Fremery and Dorfmiiller, 1932; Loeb, 1932; and King, 1933). 

 The intravenous injection of many times the rabbit-ovulating 

 dose of prolan causes neither ovulation nor any alteration of 

 the normal oestrous cycle (Jares, 1931). Cordaro (1934) 

 could not affect the fertility or course of pregnancy by inject- 

 ing large doses of prolan into adult guinea pigs. Guyenot, 

 Ponse, and Trolliet (1934) as well as Papanicolaou and Falk 

 (1934) reported that the clitoris became hypertrophied after 

 the injection of prolan into immature female guinea pigs only 

 if the ovaries were intact. 



Hill and Parkes (1930) obtained precipitates from preg- 

 nancy-urine by adding alcohol to various concentrations. By 

 administering one of these subcutaneously to anoestrous fer- 

 rets, they were able to bring about ovulation associated with 

 oestrus-like changes in the uterus, vagina, and vulva. Cor- 

 pora lutea were not formed unless injections were continued. 

 The subcutaneous injection of other fractions produced cystic 

 ovaries or corpora lutea atretica. Like the ferret and rabbit, 

 the cat does not ovulate spontaneously but only after cop- 

 's For a report of experiments with cows, horses, pigs, and sheep, see Hupka and 

 Majert (1932). 



I 195] 



