THE PITUITARY BODY 



ture guinea pigs which had received prolan. In other respects 

 the response of the genitaha is similar to that observed in 

 mice and rats (Foncin, 1931, and Colombi, 193 1). The hy- 

 pertrophy of the seminal vesicles of adult guinea pigs, occur- 

 ring as an effect secondary to the injection of prolan, was 

 found by Bacq and Brouha (1932) to be increased after 

 excision of the hypogastric ganglion. Such an operation did 

 not alter the hypertrophy observed in immature guinea pigs. 

 Kraus (1931) observed stimulation of the interstitial cells but 

 no premature spermatogenesis in one immature male rabbit. 

 Herlant (1931) injected pregnancy-urine into immature and 

 adult hibernating hedgehogs. There occurred no effect on the 

 germinal epithelium; however, hypertrophy or increased 

 secretory activity was observed in the accessory male organs 

 as a result of hypertrophy and hyperplasia of Leydig's cells. 

 The injection of prolan into the anoestrous maje ferret ap- 

 parently increased the activity of the interstitial cells (Hill 

 and Parkes, 1930), because only the injected animals copu- 

 lated. (Ferrets have no seminal vesicles or prostate.) The 

 prolan had no effect on spermatogenesis. 



The effect of prolan on the genital tract of male primates. — 

 Although Novak and Kun (1931) believed that spermato- 

 genesis was hastened by the injection of prolan into a male 

 macaque (one monkey of unknown age), their report was not 

 substantiated by the studies of Engle (1932). As the im- 

 portant effects of prolan administration to immature male 

 macaques, Engle mentioned descent of the testes, hyper- 

 trophy of the testes, and growth of the scrotum. In no case 

 was spermatogenesis accelerated. The hypertrophy of the 

 testis appeared to be due to (i) an increase in the size of the 

 tubules, and (2) an increase in the size and number of the 

 interstitial cells. Aberle and Jenkins (1934) confirmed the 

 work of Engle, but observed incomplete descent of the testis 

 more frequently. Similar changes were reported by Courrier 

 and Gros (1934) who injected 500 rabbit-units daily for 



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