The influences of sex hormones on the dilatation of the urinary tubule
s and acidophil bodies were histologically investigated in NON (Non-Ob
ese Non-diabetic)mice. Although the dilatation of the proximal tubules
and acidophil bodies in NON mice were observed only in female but not
in male, a slight dilatation and a few bodies were also observed in c
astrated male NON mice. Moreover, in ovariectomized female NON mice th
e dilatation and bodies were less compared with intact female NON mice
. Estradiol administration induced prominent dilatation and numerous a
cidophil bodies, while the administration of testosterone showed a com
plete preventive effect. Therefore, it is suggested that the dilatatio
n of the tubules and the acidophil bodies can be profoundly influenced
by sex hormones.