THE EFFECT OF ESTROGENS ON THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD AND BONE MARROW OF MICE

Abstract

THE OBSERVATION by Kyes and Potter (1934) that female pigeons had a cyclic ossification of the marrow spaces associated with the maturation of the ovarian follicle has been the basis for much research work upon the effect of estrogens and androgens on calcification and ossification in various species of organisms. Zondek (1937) first observed that when mice were given injections of estrogens in large amounts the marrow spaces were invaded and largely replaced by bone. Arnold (1937) and later Tyslowitz (1941), Castrodale and his coworkers (1941) and Crafts (1941) demonstrated that large doses of estrogens caused a severe anemia, purpura and death in both male and female dogs. No change of significance was noted by Tyslowitz (1941) in the peripheral blood picture of the rhesus monkey after prolonged administration of large doses of estrogens. Crafts (1941) noted only a slight anemia in the rhesus monkey after the administration of 10 mg. of stilbesterol daily over an extended period.