Autoradiographic studies of the kidneys of hamsters bearing longterm oestrogen implants

The ability of kidney cells to incorporate tritiated oestradiol, thymidine or uridine was investigated in hamsters with oestrogen implants for more than six months and in corresponding control hamsters without implants. Using autoradiography the following results were obtained: The cells of some proportion of the proximal convoluted tubules showed an increased ability to incorporate tritiated oestradiol, thymidine and uridine. Many of these cells were able to transport the labeled oestrogen-receptor complex into the nuclei within 45 minutes after the administration of labeled oestradiol. The cells of the distal convoluted tubules were labeled but generally to a much smaller extent. Only some individual cells showed a tendency for an increased accumulation of oestradiol. The cytoplasm of cells in the loop of Henle seems to be covered uniformly with silver grains in both control and oestrogen treated hamsters. The cells of collecting and papillary duct tubules located in the medullary rays do not show any tendency for an increased uptake of labeled oestradiol. (orig.)