Stimulating Influence of the Anterior Pituitary Upon the Squamous Epithelium of the Cervix Uteri.

The immediate and later results upon the ovaries and the uterus of the implantation of anterior pituitary substance, or of the injection of its growth-hormone into rodents (rat, mouse), as well as in dogs, has of late been extensively described in the literature. The acceleration of both the maturation of follicles and the formation of corpora lutea, as well as the hypertrophy of the uterine musculature under these conditions have recently been established by important experimental studies. (Evans, 1 Smith and Engle, 2 Zondek and Aschheim, 3 Putnam 4 ) All of these investigators agree concerning the stimulating effect of the hormonic principle on the tissues enumerated.

In the present study evidence has been obtained indicating that an overgrowth of the squamous epithelium covering the vaginal portion of the uterus can be initiated by means of either repeated intraperitoneal administration of extracts or by intramuscular transplantation of bits of the anterior lobe of the beef. Adult guinea pigs have been used in these experiments exclusively. In one series of our experiments, double ovariectomy was performed 2 weeks prior to the administration of anterior pituitary extract, for whose preparation I am under many obligations to Dr. E. M. K. Geiling.

The proliferation of the squamous epithelium on the outer surface of the cervix is shown by the development of epithelial prolongations, which in places extend deep into the connective tissue; but no epithelial pearls are found in these areas. Occasionally, the invading epithelial columns are fronted by a slight small cell infiltration. Mitotic figures are scarce. The histologic appearance is very characteristic. The ablation of the ovaries appears to promote this process of proliferation, as it is more pronounced than when the ovaries are retained.