Cytokinesis of Candida albicans by Diethylstilbestrol

In vitro effects of the synthetic oestrogenic hormone diethylstilbestrol (DS) and diethylstilbestrol dipropionate (DSP) on Candida albicans have been assessed. At a concentration of 5–20 μg/ml. these compounds suppressed the growth of C. albicans even though the multiplication of the organism was not influenced immediately. When C. albicans was grown for approximately 4 h in tryptic soy broth, its multiplication was rapidly retarded by these two substances. Since C. albicans must grow on a suitable culture medium in order to absorb DS and DSP, it was not surprising that respiration, the uptake, and incorporation of nutrients by C. albicans was not influenced when the cells were 'resting'. Such plasma steroids as androsterone (0·5 μg/ml), 5α-androstan-3 β-diol (0·25 μg/ml), dehydroisoandrosterone (2 μg/ml), epiandrosterone (0·1 μg/ml), oestrone (0·1 μg/ml), progesterone (0·4 μg/ml), cortisol (0·2 μg/ml), cholesterol (10 μg/ml) in combination with DSP did not antagonize the retardive action of DSP for C. albicans .