S. Morii, C. Huggins
Dec 1, 1962
Citations
0
Influential Citations
39
Citations
Journal
Endocrinology
Abstract
7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induces massive, specific and selective necrosis with apoplexy in special zones of the adrenal cortex of adult rats, but other groups of rats are refractory to damage. The hydrocarbon does not injure the adrenals of immature rats although it is present in these glands in considerable concentration. Likewise, the adrenals of adult rats are refractory 3 weeks after hypophysectomy. ACTH (but not GH) converted adrenal cortex of the 2 refractory groups to a state susceptible to damage by the hydrocarbon, so that necrosis and apoplexy resulted after the administration of 7,12-DMBA; the status of susceptibility of the adrenal cortex is correlated with its content of corticosterone. However, it is impossible for a chemical reaction to take place between 7,12-DMBA and corticosterone. The adrenal cortex of the rat undergoes profound functional changes during puberty.