THE INFLUENCE OF SEX HORMONES ON THE WEIGHT OF THE ADRENAL GLAND IN THE RAT

Abstract

SUMMARY Experiments have been carried out to investigate the effect of sex hormones, particularly oestrogens, on the weight of the adrenal glands in rats. Female rats (a) Intact. Oestrogen had no consistent effect. The adrenal glands may become heavier after treatment with oestradiol dipropionate (ODP) for very short periods (3 days), but may become lighter after longer periods of treatment. The glands were lighter after treatment with testosterone propionate (TP) (1·5 mg daily). (b) Castrated. Fifty-three days after spaying the adrenal glands were unchanged. Seventy-five days after operation, their weight had decreased. Oestrogen had no effect when given 1 month after ovariectomy, but caused a loss of weight when treatment was started 2 months after the operation. TP (1·5 mg. daily) also caused a loss of weight. Male rats (a) Intact. The adrenal glands were unaffected by daily treatment with 1·5 mg TP, or with 100μg ODP. (b) Castrated. The adrenal glands had gained weight 53 days after orchidectomy. TP caused a loss of weight in castrated rats. ODP had no effect.