THE RESPONSE OF ENDOMETRIAL INTRAOCULAR IMPLANTS FOLLOWING TOTAL AND REGIONAL X-IRRADIATION OF THE HOST12

PREVIOUS observations indicate that exposure to ionizing radiation is capable of altering the endocrine integration essential for cyclic reproductive phenomena in the female. The evidence consists largely of observed abnormalities in the estrous rhythm of guinea pigs (Genther, 1931), rats (Freed et al., 1948; Leitch et al., 1949), and mice (Bischoff et al, 1944). Other indications of endocrine disturbances in reproduction are suggested by the reports of Mandel (1935) that precocious sexual maturity occurs in young rats following exposure to x-rays and of Schmidt (1937) that decreased estrogen excretion during estrus occurs in guinea pigs after local irradiation of the ovaiy. The present study was undertaken to determine whether total body irradiation is capable to modifying the growth of endometrial tissue in the rabbit, and, if possible, to establish whether such modifications could be attributable to changes in the level of endogenous hormone or to changes in the sensitivity of the target tissue to horm...