Application and effects of some fat-soluble hormones on the development of chick embryos : II. The effects of estradiol, methylandrosten and desoxycorticosterone acetate.

The effects of estradiol (ED), methylandrosten (MAS) and desoxycorticosterone (DOCA) at dosages of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/0.05 ml sesame oil/egg have been studied after injection into the yolk sac of 3-day old chick embryos. The hormones were dissolved in sesame oil. Two detergents, dodecyl benzolsulphonate and cremophore have been used along with the oil. The results do not seem to support the view that the former reduces the rate of mortality caused by the oil. On the contrary it seems to increase the incidence of malformation to some extent.No specific period of susceptibility to the hormones was observed. The spectrum of malformation caused included micromelia, beak abnormalities, bent neck, general and pericardial oedema, curved digits and in a few isolated cases microphthalmia.From the data of fresh and dry weights and the weight of acetone soluble material, ED and MAS appeared to influence the shift of metabolic equilibrium between carbohydrates and fats in opposite directions. DOCA seems to support reactions leading to the building up of fat.Histological observations did not reveal any abnormal histogenesis. Alizarin preparations showed normal skeletal formation.