EFFECT OF SOME ANDROGENIC STEROIDS ON THE ADRENAL CORTEX OF HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED RATS1

Abstract

MAINTENANCE and stimulation of the adrenal cortex of hypophysectomized animals by hormones from sources other than the pituitary gland have been reported. Testosterone propionate decreased the rate of adrenal cortical atrophy which normally follows hypophysectomy in the young male rat (Cutuly, Cutuly, and McCullagh, 1938), (Leonard, 1942), (Leatham).2 Thyroxin, insulin and non-hormonal toxic agents stimulated the adrenal cortex of hypophysectomized pigeons (Miller and Riddle, 1942) and the gonadotrophic principle from pregnant mare serum stimulated the adrenals of hypophysectomized ground squirrels (Zalesky, Wells, and Overholser, 1942). In view of these findings, the effects of androgens on the adrenals of hypophysectomized rats were investigated. This report is concerned with (a) the effects of different dosages of testosterone propionate and other androgens on the maintenance of adrenal weight in hypophysectomized rats, and (b) the nature of this stimulation of the adrenal cortical cells. Long-Evans ra...