Histochemical examinations of oral epithelial changes caused by estrogens in castrated mice

24 female Swiss mice aged 3-4 weeks were castrated. 3 weeks after castration the animals were given im injections of a solution of estradiol benzoate (1 mcg in .2 ml of olive oil per animal). Oral mucus sections were taken 6 12 24 72 hours and 5 and 7 days later. Succinic dehydrogenase was determined in fresh tissue using Nitro BT and tetrazol reductase was determined using NADH. Estrogen proved to stimulate most of the determined enzymes. 6 hours after the administration the level of succinic dehydrogenase activity increased reaching a peak after 24 hours. This reaction then became gradually weaker. Changes in the level of tetrazol reductase activity were similar. Both of these enzymes are located in the mitochondria but the tetrazol reductase activity appeared in a diffused form in the remaining parts of the cytoplasm most likely in the ergastoplasm.(Authors modified)