Abstract
Summary
The reaction of the mammary glands to testosterone propionate (Tp) was studied in gonadectomized (gdx), adrenalectomized (adx) rats given estrone (E) and cortisone acetate (Ca) singly or together. Compared with controls with intact adrenals the mammary responses to Tp were reduced alter adrenalectomy. With few exceptions alveolar lobules failed to develop in gdx adx rats injected with 0.1 mg Tp every other day. When daily injections of 0.125 mg Ca were added to the treatment with 0.1 mg Tp the number of glands presenting alveoli increased slightly. E, 0.05 μg daily, failed to modify the mammary response to 0.1 mg Tp. Combined treatment with Ca, 0.125 mg, and E, 0.05 μg, daily and Tp, 0.1 or 0.2 mg, every other day resulted in development of alveolar lobules in a great majority of mammary glands of gdx adx rats. The findings support the view that the mammary response to androgens is dependent on concomitant actions of estrogens and adrenal cortex steroids.
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