TTHE EFFECTS OF OVARIECTOMY ON THE ADRENAL GLANDS OF THE ALBINO RAT

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Abstract
The mean adrenal wt. of 21 test rats, spayed shortly after weaning and killed at 3 mos of age, was 8.3% less than that of 22 controls. This was due to a difference in size of the cortex of 9.5%. In the weaning to 6-mo. group the mean adrenal wt. was 33.4% less than controls, due to a difference of 35.8% in size of cortex. In the younger group the diminution in size was due almost entirely to the zona fasciculata; in the older group all 3 zones were smaller. The mitotic rate in the cortex was the same in tests as in controls. Destruction of cells, especially in the outer part of the reticular zone, was more intense in tests than in controls. There was an increase in the number, size and degree of vacuolization of pigmented cells in the zona reticularis; the increase was greater in the 6-mo. than in the 3-mo. tests. The reduction of water and remainder content in the adrenals of the 3-mo. tests was proportionate to the whole adrenal wt. reduction, but lipin material was reduced almost twice as much.