Mammary Growth in Male Mice Receiving Androgens, Estrogens and Desoxycorticosterone Acetate.

Abstract

The mammary ducts of male guinea pigs grew following the injection of Δ5-transandrostenediol, testosterone propionate and 17-methyltestosterone. The mammary tissue of immature male and female rats developed following injections of testosterone and so did that of spayed virgin rats given androstanediol and androstenedione. A secretory response in the mammary gland of spayed pre-adolescent female Rhesus monkeys was produced by testosterone propionate, dehydro-androsterone, Δ5-transandrostenediol and androsterone. (See Turner for review.) The injection of various estrogens and progesterone was followed by the growth of the mammary glands in male mice., The present experiment demonstrated the influence of various estrogenic and androgenic substances and desoxycorticosterone acetate on the mammary gland of young unoperated or castrated male mice weighing 16 to 25 g (Table I). The synthetic crystalline chemicals were dissolved in sesame oil and administered subcutaneously in 8 equal injections, one injection every other day. The mice were killed on the 16th day and all the mammary glands were studied (method described elsewhere) for quantitative or qualitative differences of response. Usually 5 mice were used in each series. Mammary glands of the untreated or oil-injected control mice consisted of one main duct with one or several branches. The total duct system extended for a length of one to 3 mm. The glands showing the least response are designated +. These glands equalled or slightly exceeded in size those of the oil-injected controls but showed an increased number of small, broader branching ducts usually terminating peripherally in nodular enlargements. These glands responded definitely but to a limited extent. Glands designated ++ were considerably increased in size and the duct system was increasingly complex.