Effects of submaxillariectomy on ovarian androgen and estrogen production in adult female rats.

Submaxillariectomy causes an increase in uterine weight in adult female rats. This increase is due to the elevation of the plasma 17 beta-estradiol (E2) level which is brought on by enhancement of ovarian E2 production. Furthermore, enhancement of ovarian E2 production is due to the enhancement of testosterone and androstenedione production which are the precursors of ovarian E2. However, submaxillariectomy did not affect ovarian progesterone and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels. These findings suggest that the submaxillary gland may inhibit the production of ovarian E2 mainly because of the inhibition of ovarian androgen production. Thus the submaxillary gland may play a physiological role in female reproductive systems caused by the change in ovarian steroidogenesis.