In VitroSteroidogenesis by the Adrenal Glands of Mice

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Abstract
Corticosterone and aldosterone were demonstrated after in vitro incubation of adrenals from mice of the BALB/c, RIII, C3H and C57 strains. In addition, 11-dehydrocorticosterone appeared to be present in small amounts in incubates of BALB/c and RIII adrenals. Cortisol was not positively identified in any in vitro incubates, nor was its presence detected in the peripheral plasma of 14- to 18-week-old BALB/c male mice. However, cortisol was present in small quantities in the plasma of young (4- to 6-week-old) BALB/c males. Quantitative studies of adrenal corticosterone production were made, although it was noted that the corticosterone-like material analyzed may also have included some 17-hydroxy, 11-deoxycorticosterone. These quantitative studies revealed that the adrenals of 3-month-old BALB/c, C3H and C57 males have a lower in vitro secretory activity than do those of 3-month-old females. Castration of BALB/c males resulted in enhanced adrenal activity. Except for C3H females, which show a relatively low adrenal corticos-teroid production strain differences were not observed. In BALB/c mice, the in vitro corticoid production by the adrenal of both males and females decreased with increasing age. Under the conditions of these experiments, variations in adrenal secretory activity related to grouping or the reproductive state of BALB/c females could not be demonstrated.