Influence of Norethynodrel on the Adrenal Cortex of Rats

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The histological response of the adrenal cortex to norethynodrel (17[alpha]-ethinyl-17-hydroxy-[DELTA]5(10)-estren-3-one) was studied in female rats as it is modified by variation in dosage, route of administration, duration of treatment, and by excision of the hypophysis or ovaries. At a daily sc dose of 1.5 mg/100 g body weight given for 27-34 days, lipid was depleted from all adrenocortical zones and the parenchymal cells of the zona glomerulosa became smaller. Significant lipid depletion occurred in the zonae fasciculata and reticu-laris after only 2 days of treatment at the 1.5 mg dosage or after 10 days at a dosage of .011 mg/100 g body weight/day. Norethynodrel induced lipid depletion after ovariectomy but not after hypophysectomy. Under the conditions of the experiment, the response did not differ when norethynodrel was given orally or subcutaneously. The histological responses elicited in the adrenal cortex by norethynodrel mimicked those induced by estrogens in general, except that increase in weight of the gland and parenchymal cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia were not a regular outcome. Nevertheless, the weak estrogenic activity of norethynodrel may account in part for its action on the adrenal cortex.