Influence of Hydrocortisone on Chick Embryo Retina Development

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Abstract
Treatment of chick embryos in ovo with hydrocortisone-21-phosphate (a single dose of 150 .mu.g) caused a marked reduction of retinal thymidine kinase activity 24 h later. The inhibitory effect was highest (65-70%) in 8-10-day-old embyros and declined with age, disappearing after day 15. It was accompanied by a reduction in thickness of the retinal layers. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) treatment (10 .mu.g daily for 2 days) also produced an age-dependent inhibitory effect on retinal thymidine kinase, whereas treatment with a single dose of 200 .mu.g of metopirone, a compound that prevents the 11.beta.-hydroxylation of steroid molecules in the adrenal glands, impeded the decrease in thymidine kinase activity that normally occurs in chick embryo retina after day 9 of development. In addition, metopirone prevented the inhibition exerted by ACTH on thymidine kinase activity but had no effect on the action of hydrocortisone.

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