EFFECTS OF LOW ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURES ON THE ACTIVITY OF THE THYROID, REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM AND ANTERIOR LOBE OF THE PITUITARY IN THE RAT

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Abstract
Adult [male] rats subjected to discontinuous low atmospheric pressures of 280-250 mm. Hg (6 hrs. daily for 14-20 days) showed an increase in adrenal wt. and a decrease in the wts. of testes, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, thymus, and possibly thyroid glands. Pituitary gland wts. were not affected. Body wt. loss was 8.7%. [male] rats given continuous exposures (18-20 hrs. daily for varying periods) showed less marked increases in adrenal and decreases in testes wt. The thymus, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, thyroid, and pituitary glands were also diminished in wt. Body wt. loss amounted to about 20%. The decrease in testicular wt. was due mainly to degeneration of the spermatogenic tissue, with slight atrophy of the interstitial tissue. Large doses of gonadotrophic hormone containing FSH and LH did not repair the spermatogenic tissue but did cause marked hypertrophy of the interstitial tissue. Failure of the [male] gonad under conditions of discontinuously-applied low atmospheric pressure was reflected in an increased gonadotrophic hormone potency of the anterior lobe of the hypophysis. Increases in numbers of basophiles occurred and castration-like cells appeared in the pituitary glands. [female] rats tolerated low atmospheric pressures better than [male] rats, reflected in a lower mortality rate and a smaller decrease in body wt.; less pronounced effects were exerted on the wts. and histology of the [female] reproductive apparatus. The histo-logical picture of the thyroid gland in both cases was one of slightly reduced activity. Blood sera from exposed rats possessed reduced quantities of thyrotrophic principle. The thyrotrophic hormone content of the pituitary gland was not affected.

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