Effects of oestradiol-17 beta on the synthesis of RNA, proteins and lipids in the pyloric caeca of the female starfish Asterias rubens.

1. The effects of oestradiol-17 beta on processes of synthesis in the pyloric caeca of female Asterias rubens were studied. 2. In vitro treatment with 2.5 X 10(-7) M oestradiol-17 beta resulted in significantly higher RNA levels. 3. In vivo treatment with oestradiol-17 beta resulted in higher lipid levels in the pyloric caeca, but RNA levels, protein levels and the incorporation of 6-[14C]orotic acid, L-leucine-[14C] and sodium 1-[14C] acetate into RNA, proteins and lipids, respectively were not affected, neither were the indices of the gonads and pyloric caeca.