[Effects of estrogen on pancreatic endocrine function after major resection of a fibrotic pancreas caused by ligation of the pancreatic ducts in dogs].

Following major resection of a fibrotic pancreas and reconstruction of the major pancreatic duct four weeks after ligation of both major and minor pancreatic ducts in dogs, effects of estrogen administration on endocrine function of the remnant pancreas were investigated. Development of diabetes mellitus after major resection of the pancreas was markedly prevented with estrogen administration. Glucose tolerance, insulin secretion and morphology of islet cells were kept in better condition with estrogen administration than without it and in particular degeneration of B-cells was found markedly inhibited by estrogen administration. The study revealed that the endocrine function following major resection of the fibrotic pancreas caused by ligation of the pancreatic ducts and duct reconstruction was maintained well by estrogen administration, which prevented the development of diabetes mellitus.