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Effect of cyproterone acetate, levonorgestrel and progesterone on adrenal glands and reproductive organs in the beagle bitch

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Summary

The effects of short-term (8 weeks) treatment with different doses of cyproterone acetate (CPA), levonorgestrel (LN) and progesterone (PRO) on the adrenal gland, ovary, uterus and vagina were studied in cycle-synchronised beagle bitches (first anoestrus). The same organs from non-treated primiparous beagle bitches at the 6th and 9th weeks of pregnancy were also included. In the animals treated with the highest doses of CPA (4.0 mg/kg/day orally) and PRO (42.5mg/kg/day subcutaneously), as well as in pregnant bitches (9th week of pregnancy), a decrease in adrenal weight and cortex width and also an apparent loss of cells in the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis were observed. A marked increase in ovarian weight was recorded only in pregnant bitches (6th week of pregnancy). This was reflected by the presence of multiple well-developed corpora lutea. The ovaries of virgin control and progestagen-treated bitches revealed ovarian atrophy. Progestagen treatment caused marked stimulation of the uterus, resulting in dose-related oedematous and hyperplastic changes. Comparable findings were also observed during pregnancy. The vaginal epithelium of the progestagen-treated and pregnant bitches showed marked mucification as compared with control bitches. These structural responses indicate that progestagen treatment stimulates a pseudopregnancy-like condition in the adrenal glands, uterus and vagina of the beagle bitch.

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Abbreviations

ACTH:

Adrenocorticotropin

CRH:

Corticotropin Releasing Hormone

FSHβ :

Follicle Stimulating Hormone Beta Subunit

LHβ :

Luteinizing Hormone Beta Subunit

MSH:

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone

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The author is grateful to Dr. Christel Schöbel and Mrs. P. Kurth for carrying out the experimental work on the animals, to Mrs. B. Schilk and Mrs. U. Tüshaus-Bußmann for their excellent technical assistance, and to Dr. P. Günzel for his advice and encouragement

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El Etreby, M.F. Effect of cyproterone acetate, levonorgestrel and progesterone on adrenal glands and reproductive organs in the beagle bitch. Cell Tissue Res. 200, 229–243 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00236416

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