Effects of Oophorectomy and Various Doses of Estradiol-17 on Corticosterone Production by Rat Adrenal Slices.

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Abstract
Summary Corticosterone production by adrenal tissue in vitro from intact female rats weighing 168–181 g was significantly lower than that obtained from animals of higher or lower body weights. A single dose of a depot preparation of estradiol-17β in rats oophorectomized prior to puberty increased adrenal corticosterone production in vitro for a period beginning 3 days after injection and lasting 3 weeks. The peak effect was noted 2 weeks after injection. The minimal effective dose was 10 μg/100 g body weight. Rats oophorectomized after puberty demonstrated significant reductions in adrenal corticosterone production at 1 and 2 weeks after operation, but not the same degree as that observed 6 weeks after pre-pubertal oophorectomy. The minimal effective replacement dose of estradiol in mature oophorectomized animals was 40 μg/100 g body weight.