Steroid modulation of Mullerian duct regression in the chick embryo

The recent demonstrations that Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) is present in embryonic chick ovaries (P. K. Hutson, H. Ikawa, and P. K. Donahoe (1981). J. Pediatr. Surg. 16, 822-827), and that exogenous diethylstilbestrol does not significantly inhibit MIS secretion from feminized testes (Hutson et al. (1982) J. Pediatr. Surg. 17, 953-959), suggest that ovarian estrogens protect the female left Mullerian duct from MIS-induced regression. The possibility exists, however, that ovarian MIS may be inactive. This study was designed to see if interference with estrogen action in ovo would allow MIS to cause regression of the female left Mullerian duct. The "antiestrogens," tamoxifen and LY117018, had little effect on the female Mullerian ducts unless given in high doses or with added testosterone (greater than 0.1 mg). Two compounds known to inhibit estrogen synthesis, aminoglutethimide and 4-hydroxyandrostenedione, had no effect on their own, even in high doses (less than 1.0 mg/egg). However, when administered together (0.5 mg each) there was significant disappearance of the lower ends of both Mullerian ducts. Norethindrone, which has been described recently as an aromatase inhibitor (Y. Osawa, C. Yarborough, and V. Osawa (1982). Science (Washington, D. C.) 215, 1249-1251) caused partial regression of the upper end of the left Mullerian duct as well as complete loss of the lower ends of both ducts in the female. These results suggest that the steroid environment is a critical factor in the response of the Mullerian ducts to MIS, and that estrogen blockage may allow endogenous MIS from the ovary to induce partial regression of the Mullerian ducts in the female chick embryo.