Response of Pineal Lipid to Hormone Imbalances

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Abstract
The effect of hormone imbalances on the amount of fat stainable with oil red 0 in the pineal gland of the rat was studied. It was found that treatment with angiotensin II or propylthiouracil depleted pineal lipid. Removal of the pituitary or combined castration and adrenalectomy also severely depleted pineal fat. On the other hand, the administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate tended to augment the amount of pineal lipid. Other treatments which were found to be without effect in altering the amount of pineal lipid included: thyroxine, testosterone, hydrocortisone, adrenaline, serotonin, ACTH, B-MSH, alloxan and castration. All the procedures which defatted the pineal gland had some effect on sodium metabolism. While it was concluded that the pineal gland may be implicated in sodium homeostasis, the mechanism remains unknown.