Download PDF
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1985; 85(3): 309-313
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1210455
Original

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Changes in Pituitary-Adrenal Function under Extreme Cold in DHA-treated Persistent Estrous Rats

M. Mohri, K. Seto1 , M. Nagase2
  • Department of Physiology (Prof. T. Nagasaka), School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa/Japan
  • 1Department of Physiology (Prof. K. Seto), Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Yokohama City University, Yokohama/Japan
  • 2Department of Physiology (Prof. F. Tanaka), School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama/Japan
Further Information

Publication History

1984

Publication Date:
16 July 2009 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Summary

The plasma corticosterone levels and incorporation of 14C-l-acetate into corticosterone and cortisol were measured in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA)-treated persistent estrous rats and control estrous cyclic rats exposed to cold (—5°C) for 12 hrs. Cold exposure significantly facilitated incorporation of 14C-l-acetate into corticosterone and cortisol in both DHA-treated and control rats. However, the rates of increase of plasma corticosterone level and 14C-incorporation into corticosterone are 61% and 77% in controls, and 19% and 44% in DHA-treated rats, respectively. The activity of stress-induced pituitary-adrenal function showed masculine patterns in DHA-treated rats.

The diurnal patterns of plasma corticosterone in DHA-treated rats are similar in controls. Plasma corticosterone levels in DHA-treated rats are evidently greater than those in controls. It is suggested that neonatal administration of DHA caused the changes not only in pituitary-gonadal system but also in pituitary-adrenal system.

Key words

Dehydroepiandrosterone - Persistent estrus - Extreme cold - Corticosterone