The influence of hormones on cell division : II. Time response of ear, seminal vesicle, coagulating gland and ventral prostate of castrate male mice to a single injection of testosterone propionate

Abstract

The development of mitotic activity following administration of a single dose of testosterone propionate has been followed in the epithelia of ear, seminal vesicle, coagulating gland and ventral prostate of castrate male mice. All tissues respond to androgen treatment by significantly increased mitotic activity. Ear epidermis shows significantly increased activity 18 hours following hormone treatment while all other tissues show significantly increased activity 30 hours after treatment. Seminal vesicle, coagulating gland and ventral prostate reach peak activity 48 hours following hormone injection. Mitotic activity in these tissues has returned to castrate levels 96-120 hours after commencement of treatment. The response of these tissues to testosterone propionate is compared with the response to estradiol benzoate [1]. The results are discussed in terms of hormonal effects upon metabolic systems which may be critical in the development of mitotic activity.