Abstract
The effects of cortisone acetate (subcutaneous injection of approximately 40 mg/kg) were studied in very young rats. This dosage resulted in retardation of weight gain, damage to skin and hair follicles, and increased mortality. Cortisone also retarded the growth of the tooth germ as a whole. The ameloblast and odontoblast layers were thinner in cortisone-treated animals, but the dentine layer was of normal thickness. The number of red blood cells was not affected by cortisone, but the decrease in the number of lymphocytes was striking. Atrophy of the adrenal cortex and reduction of lymphoid tissue in the thymus was observed in cortisone-treated animals. On the 8th day, these animals also showed reduced haemopoietic tissue in spleen, liver, and femur. It is concluded that cortisone in immunosuppressive doses cannot be used safely in the very young animal.
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