The Effect of Small Doses of Diethylstilbestrol on the Anterior Hypophysis of the Immature Rat

INVESTIGATORS are not agreed whether the secretory activity of the anterior hypophysis is stimulated or depressed by stilbestrol and other estrogens. Diethylstilbestrol has been shown to alter significantly both reproductive activity (Noble, 1938) and carbohydrate metabolism (Janes and Nelson, 1942; Fry, Miller and Long, 1942) through the mediation of this gland. In view of this evidence and the widespread clinical use of stilbestrol, exact information concerning the possible stimulating or inhibiting effect of stilbestrol on each of the hypophyseal cell types is desirable. Morrell and Hart (1941), Von Haam, Hammel, Rardin and Schoene (1941) and Foster (1942) have demonstrated that diethylstilbestrol will simulate the naturally occurring estrogens in bringing about a reduction in number of basophiles and acidophiles and an increase in the relative number of chromophobes.