THE INFLUENCE OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY, CORTICOTROPHIN AND CORTISOL ON THE ADRENAL MEDULLA OF THE RAT

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Abstract
Atrophy of the adrenals after hypophysectomy and their increase in weight after the administration of corticotrophin (ACTH) have been regarded as almost entirely due to changes in the adrenocortical cells. The changes in the volume of chromaffin tissue are considered negligible (for review see Deane, 1962). The atrophy of the adrenal caused by glucocorticosteroid administration is also mainly attributed to the cortex (see, for example, D'Arcy & Howard, 1962). However, the decrease in adrenal weight after both hypophysectomy or administration of cortisol is so striking that it seems unlikely that the medulla remains unaffected. It was decided to re-investigate this problem by means of planimetric measurements of histological sections. Fifty-two male rats of the Wistar—Konárovice strain, weighing 170–200g., were kept onastandarddiet (see Linèt, Háva, Jakubovič & Mikulášková, 1965). Hypophysectomy was performed by the parapharyngeal approach in ether anaesthesia. Completeness of hypophysectomy was checked by careful examination of the sella turcica.

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