Extra-ovarian Effects of Bovine Prolactin and Growth Hormone on the Vagina of the Mouse

Abstract

Hypophysectomized-ovariectomized mice receiving oestrogen and progesterone were treated with and without bovine prolactin and growth hormone (GH). Prolactin significantly increased vaginal weight and vaginal sialic acid content, but had no effect on vaginal sialic acid concentration, an indicator of vaginal mucification. Growth hormone significantly increased all three vaginal parameters. For vaginal sialic acid content and concentration, the synergism between oestrogen and progesterone was found to be greater in the presence than in the absence of GH and the maximum response to GH was obtained when between 20 and 100 Ilg GH was administered daily. It was concluded that GH but not prolactin has an extra-ovarian effect on vaginal mucification in the mouse.