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The present study deals with the dissociation of human dopamine β hydroxylase (DBH) in subunits with a mol. wt of 79,500, and the preparation of specific antibodies in rabbits. No cross-reactivity was observed between human DBH and antibodies against human DBH subunits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytosolic receptors for estrogens and progesterone are studied using an exchange method in various types of benign breast diseases: fibroadenomas, fibrocystic mastosis, phylloid tumors and gynecomastias. The results show clearly that, contrary to breast carcinomas, receptors are generally not present in benign tumors. These results are statistically significant for all the women studied. Studying the pathological aspects of the tumors, it can be noted that the presence of receptors, is correlated with proliferation forms with large epithelial components. Furthermore, these results show that receptors are not found in gynecomastia. In conclusion, the physician should follow up very carefully the patients with a benign tumor, when hormono-receptors are present.

Pituitary serotonin was estimated by fluorescence technique in rats fed with DMBA at 30 days, 60 days or 90 days age. In the rats most receptive to this carcinogen, serotonin was found to be decreased to 40% of control values, for the 8 days period studied. A possible mechanism leading to hormonal unbalance is proposed.

The authors study estrogen (RE) and progestogen (RP) receptors by an exchange technique in 8 cases of male breast carcinoma and 7 cases of gynaecomastia. Tumours are considered receptor positive when the binding sites concentration exceeds 100 fmol/g tissue. Using this as a base all the carcinoma are RE+ and 7/8 are RP+. Gynecomastia are always RE- and RP- except for one case which is RP+. RE and RP levels are correlated with the degree of differentiation of the carcinoma, as determined histologically.