Simultaneous effects of thyroid and adrenal inhibitors on maternal-fetal endocrine interrelations in the rat.

Abstract

Functional alterations in the pituitary-thyroid and adrenocortical systems of mother and newborn were studied after treatment of pregnant rats (last 7–10 days of gestation) with chemical agents known to influence thyroid and adrenal gland function. Amphenone treatment (25–30 rag, sc, twice daily, 10 days) resulted in adrenal and thyroid gland hypertrophy and augmentation of 131I uptake by the latter. With shorter treatment, radioiodine uptakes by the enlarged thyroids were decreased and corticosteroid levels in plasma and adrenal were depressed. Effects on the fetal pituitarythyroid system were marked. Newborn from Amphenone-treated mothers showed enlarged thyroids (3-fold) with sharply decreased 131I uptake. Fetal goitrogenesis was associated with pituitary enlargement but adrenal hypertrophy in newborn was only of moderate degree and was not accompanied by significant change in adrenocorticosteroid content. Plasma and pituitary TSH levels in goitrous newborn were increased 200–300%. Conjoint administrat...