BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS MODIFYING QUANTITY OF 17-HYDROXYCORTICOIDS IN MOUSE ADRENAL

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Abstract
Adrenal incubates of male mice younger than 56 days contained abundant 17-hydroxycorticoid components, in addition to corticosterone. The BF ratio prior to sexual maturation was as low as 1:1. After sexual maturation and complete involution of the adrenal X-zone, there was a marked reduction in 17-hydroxycorticoids so that a B:F ratio of 8:1 resulted. Testosterone injections in immature mice suppressed 17-hydroxycorticoids. Grouping of mice from 28 to 42 days of age appeared to stimulate the secretion in favor of cortisol. It is suggested that sexual maturation and androgens may suppress elaboration of 17-hydroxycorticoids by the mouse adrenal. Whether this results from loss of 17-hydroxylating enzymes in the X-zone is not known.