Study of the androgenic activity of the regenerating adrenal cortex.

Abstract

The androgenic function of the adrenal cortex has been studied in adult male rats; circulating androgens were assessed through sexual accessory organ weights and zinc 65 uptake by the dorsolateral prostate. Acclimated intact and castrated animals were used as well as animals with regenerating cortices (bilateral - adrenal - enucleated) and dual operations (enucleation - castration). At room temperature (22°C), the intact and enucleated appeared similar in androgen level but, exposure to severe cold (-5°C) depressed the level of circulating androgens. The cold exposed intacts tended to recover but enucleates remained depressed after 12 days of cold exposure; cold exposed castrates did not display an increase in circulating androgens but the seminal vesicle weights of the cold exposed dual operated fell to basal castrate levels only after 4 days of exposure. ACTH treatment in warm exposed intacts caused a significant increase in the androgenic indicators, as well as an increase in glucocorticoid activity, assessed by thymic involution. Similar treatment to enucleated animals caused a transient increase in the androgen level but failed to cause thymic involution. ACTH treated warm exposed castrated and dual operated animals displayed a small non-significant increase in the level of androgens; the glucocorticoid output in castrated animals was similar to that of ACTH treated intacts, while thymolysis was absent in the ACTH treated dual operated. All cold exposed animals displayed a lesser androgenic response to the exogenous ACTH compared to the warm exposed counterparts. The results (1) indicate a real androgenic capability of regenerating adrenal cortices; the increase in activity corresponds to the increase in the regenerating cortical tissue. (2) suggest that the transient androgenic response and lack of glucorticoid activity in enucleated animals is due to an impairment of steroid function within the regenerating gland and (3) suggest that castration removes a factor necessary for the expression of adrenal androgens in the adult male rat.