Adrenal hyperplasia in rats with Walker carcinosarcoma 256

Abstract

Abstract The effect of the growth of Walker carcinosarcoma 256 on the weight and morphology of the adrenal glands of Wistar rats was studied, and the effect of adrenalectomy on the growth of this tumour was investigated. The size and combined weight of the adrenals from tumour-bearing rats were significantly greater than those of non-tumour-bearing controls both at 7 and 14 days after tumour inoculation. This adrenal enlargement resulted from widening of the adrenal cortex, particularly the zona reticularis. Histological examination of the enlarged adrenal glands showed increased vascularity and extramedullary haematopoiesis. Adrenal enlargement in tumour-bearing rats was not influenced by hypophysectomy but the florid histological changes were no longer apparent. Bilateral adrenalectomy significantly inhibited tumour growth, but had no signifcant effect upon body weight or pituitary size. It is suggested that growth of the Walker tumour may be a suitable model upon which to study the endocrine dependence of tumours.