Thirteen-weeks subcutaneous treatment with high dose of natural sex hormones in rats with special reference to their effect on the pituitary-gonadal axis. II. Progesterone
Attia, M.A.; Zayed, I.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 96(9): 445-449
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 2531070 Document Number: 343979
High dose of progesterone (25 mg/kg/day) was administered subcutaneously to male and female rats daily for 13 weeks. The effects of hormonal treatment on various parameters were studied. The results revealed increased food consumption associated with considerable weight gain in the progesterone-treated rats. Mucification of the vaginal epithelial cell lining, uterine involution and mild atrophy in the male genital organs were observed. The hypophyseal STH cells exhibited several cytological criteria typical of a pituitary cell-stimulated to accelerated activity; the PRL-, ACTH- and gonadotropin-producing cells were not affected. The mammary glands of the progesterone treated rats showed maximal acinar and minimal ductal and stromal cell proliferation.