Effect of sex hormones on gastric acid secretion of the guinea pig

The possible role of male and female sex hormones in the regulation of gastric acid secretion , was studied in the guinea-pig. Castration of male guinea-pigs produced a strong reduction in the gastric secretory capacity of animals castrated at least 3 months prior to gastric juice analysis. Ovariectomy was shown to have no significant influence on gastric secretion in females. Administration of testosterone (5 mg/kg) into males castrated 3 months previously restored gastric acid secretion to normal control levels. Treatment of intact guinea-pigs with exogenous male and female sex hormone preparations had no significant effect on "the secretory response of these animals. However, the administration of la mg/kg of a mixture of Medrogestone and oestradiol (1000:1, 500:1) 2 hours prior to gastric juice analysis resulted in a significant reduction in the histamine induced gastric acid secretion of both sexes