IRRADIATION AND ADRENAL STEROIDOGENESIS:STEROID TRANSFORMATIONS BY IRRADIATED ISOLATED PERFUSED CALF ADRENALS1

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Abstract
Exposure of the isolated calf adrenal to moderate doses of gamma radiation (Co60) during perfusion of various steroid substrates caused a significant reduction in the ability of the gland to carry out llbeta-, 17alpha-a-, and 21- hydroxylations as well as the oxidation of the delta5-3beta-hydroxyl group to the delta4-3-ketone group. The decrease in the specific enzymatic activities parallels the previously observed decrease in corticosteroid output by ACTH-stimulated irradiated glands. The present studies corroborate the view that the adrenal cortex is a radio-responsive tissue functionally, and indicate that an effect of ionizing radiation is exerted on all the steroidogenic enzyme systems of the biosynthetic mechanism.