The Ovarian Hormone

Abstract

THE problem of the prevention and interruption of pregnancy by physiological means is attracting considerable attention at the present time, and several investigators are reporting results of importance. Some, however, would seem to be unaware of similar work already carried out. It was in 1925 that I first reported that pregnancy could be interrupted by the injection of the so-called œstrous hormone (Biol. Ges. zu Wien, Dec. 7, 1925). At that time I was using extracts prepared by Heinlein and Hohlweg, and others prepared and used by Steinach, Heinlein, and Wiesner in earlier investigations. Fellner (Wr. klin. Wschrift, 1926) raised the objection that the effect of these extracts might be due to the action of non-specific substances included therein. By using highly purified extracts, prepared for the most part by Dohrn and his co-workers, I was able to remove this objection, since abortion was produced in rats, guinea-pigs, and mice, even when small doses, 0.0002 mgm., were administered. Injections of many times this quantity of other substances (lipoids) produced no effect. Since more units (mouse-units) are required when moderately pure extracts are used, it is reasonable to assume that in these cases the effect was due to the specific action of the hormone.