THE INFLUENCE OF AGE AND SEX ON THE LIFE SPAN OF ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS

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Abstract
91.6% of 646 hooded Norway rats died after removal of both adrenal glands. The mean life span varied from 7.9 to 19.2 days according to the age and sex of the rat. Survival time of both sexes increased with the age of the rat at the time of operation. It appeared to reach a max. about the 4th mo. and declined thereafter. From the onset of puberty (40th day) female rats outlived male rats after adrenalectomy, due perhaps to the effect of progesterone in the female. The frequency distrs. of the life spans of rats of both sexes adrenalectomized at 3 wks. of age were normal.