The growth of the ventral and dorsolateral prostate, the coagulating glands and the seminal vesicles in force-fed hypophysectomized castrated adrenalectomized rats injected with cortisone and-or insulin.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The growth of the ventral and dorsolateral prostate, the coagulating glands and the seminal vesicles was studied in force-fed hypophysectomized castrated adrenalectomized rats following daily injections for fourteen days of protamine zinc insulin or cortisone acetate alone or in combination. Cortisone was given in daily doses of 3 mg and insulin was administered in increasing daily doses of protamine zinc insulin up to 8 IU. Cortisone alone induced slight histological stimulation of the epithelium of the coagulating glands, while no stimulation was demonstrated in the other accessory reproductive organs. After insulin alone the weight of the accessory reproductive organs was slightly increased but no stimulation was demonstrated histologically. Cortisone and insulin given in combination induced distinct signs of stimulation of all the accessory reproductive organs as assesed by histological examination and weight determination of the organs. The results indicate that in the rat the growth stimulating effect of cortisone on the male accessory reproductive organs is markedly decreased or abolished in the absence of the anterior pituitary. Insulin can act synergistically with cortisone in promoting the growth of the accessory reproductive organs through effects which are not dependent on the presence of the adrenal glands or the anterior pituitary.