Relation of Ovary to Fat

The controlling influence of the ovary on cyclic changes in the uterus and breasts has been fully appreciated for m a n y years. Recently Allen and Doisy (1) have isolated from the follicular fluid of the ovaries of pigs an alcohol-, ether-, and acetone-soluble substance, which induces estrus when introduced subcutaneously into spayed rats. I t is also known tha t the ovary has to do with the metabolism of fat in the body. Women store fat after the removal of the ovaries, destruction of the ovaries from one of various causes, and after the menopause. Women suffering a premature loss of function of their ovaries also suffer various other metabolic changes and disturbances. In order to throw light on this lat ter property of the ovary i t became of interest to s tudy the action of the Allen-Doisy hormone in the digest ion of fat in the tissues. I