Novel, low cost, highly effective, handmade steroid pellets for experimental studies

Abstract

The basic component of SilasticH glue (Dow Corning) used to prepare SilasticH pellets is polydimethylsiloxane. This compound is also present in other commercial adhesives such as FASTIXH (Akapol SA) that are available in any store for that category. In the present study we developed low cost, easy to prepare handmade steroid pellets (HMSP) by mixing 17bestradiol, progesterone or other synthetic steroids with FASTIXH adhesive. We assessed serum levels of 17b-estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and luteinizing hormone in ovariectomized mice treated for 24 and 48 h or 7, 14 and 28 days with 20 mg or 5 mg of 17b-estradiol or 5 mg progesterone HMSP. We found a time dependent and significant increase in the levels of both natural hormones, and a downregulation of serum luteinizing hormone levels, while both 17b-estradiol doses increased serum prolactin. Uterine weights at sacrifice and histological examination of the uteri and the mammary glands correlated with estrogen or progestin action. Finally, we evaluated the biological effects of HMSP compared to commercial pellets or daily injections in the stimulation or inhibition of hormone dependent mammary tumor growth, and found that HMSP were as effective as the other methods of hormone administration. These data show that HMSP represent a useful, low cost, easily accessible method for administering steroids to mice