Oxetorone-induced hyperprogesteronemia and the development of uterine decidual lesions in rats

Application of the deciduoma formation test showed that 3-benzofurol[3,2-c][1] benzoxepin-6(12H)-ylidene-N,N-dimethyl-l-propanamin-(E )-2-butenedioate (1:1) (oxetorone, L-6257, Nocertone) stimulated secretion of progesterone by the ovaries in rats and that this hyperprogesteronemia resulted from an increased secretion of prolactin. The studies carried out also showed that the apparition of uterine decidual lesions observed in certain animals undergoing chronic oxetorone treatment was linked to this hyperprogesteronemia. In view of the specific physiology of prolactin in rodents, such uterine lesions can only develop in these animals and cannot occur in man.