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Effect of hypophysectomy on calcium transport by rat duodenum.

To examine the effect of hypophysectomy on intestinal calcium absorption, studies were performed on immature rats 7, 14, and 21 days after hypophysectomy. Duodenal calcium transport was measured in vitro utilizing everted gut sacs and in vivo by a luminal perfusion technique. Hypophysectomy produced no differences in the ability of everted gut sacs to transport calcium. Similarly, when in vivo transport data were expressed on the basis of intestinal length, no significant differences were noted. However, when transport data were expressed on the basis of mucosal weight, increases in absorption and lumen-to-plasma fluxes were apparent in hypophysectomized animals. No differences were seen in plasma-to-lumen fluxes. The results indicate that when the transport data are corrected for mass of intestinal mucosa, the duodenum from hypophysectomized animals absorbs calcium more avidly due to an increase in lumen-to-plasma flux.

Animals↗

Transient development and function of rabbit corpora lutea after hypophysectomy.

The requirement of the pituitary gland and the role of 17 beta-estradiol in the early development of the corpus luteum was investigated in rabbits hypophysectomized the day after sterile mating (day 1). Serum progesterone in hypophysectomized rabbits was normal for 2 days after hypophysectomy. Luteal tissue from hypophysectomized and sham-hypophysectomized rabbits had similar wet weight (4.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 5.3 +/- 0.2 mg/corpus luteum) and similar concentrations of available cytoplasmic estrogen receptor (1.2 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.3 fmol/micrograms DNA) and luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor (4.0 +/- 0.2 vs. 6.1 +/- 1.4 fmol/micrograms DNA) on day 4 of pseudopregnancy. Serum progesterone in hypophysectomized rabbits began to decline on day 4 and was undetectable by day 6. Estrogen receptor and luteal weight in hypophysectomized animals also declined after day 4 to low values by day 6, and serum estradiol was undetectable. However, if estradiol was administered by Silastic capsule implanted subcutaneously at the time of hypophysectomy or 3 days after hypophysectomy, serum progesterone, luteal weight, estrogen receptor, and LH receptor were maintained on day 6 of pseudopregnancy. These results indicate that after a preovulatory gonadotropin surge, the function of newly formed corpora lutea is normal for 3-4 days in the absence of pituitary hormones. However, by 4 days after ovulation, estradiol is required to sustain the structural and functional integrity of corpora lutea.

Animals↗

Effects of hypophysectomy and GH administration on bovine and human GH binding to rat liver membranes.

Experiments were conducted to investigate the specific binding of highly purified bovine and human growth hormones (bGH and hGH) to purified liver plasma membranes of male rats at various times after hypophysectomy and after the acute intravenous administration of bGH. Liver membranes prepared from hypophysectomized male rats showed a two- to threefold increase in the specific binding of either [125I]iodo-bGH or [125I]iodo-hGH, when compared with membranes prepared from the livers of age-matched normal male rats. The increase in GH binding was apparent within 3 days after hypophysectomy and persisted for a number of weeks after the operation. The increase in GH binding produced by hypophysectomy appeared to be due to an increase in the number of binding sites present on the membranes. The intravenous injection of 200 micrograms of bGH into hypophysectomized male rats 5-60 min before they were killed markedly reduced the ability of liver membranes prepared from these animals to bind [125I]iodo-bGH specifically. This decrease in GH binding seen after the injection of bGH may have been due to the development of a slowly dissociating hormone-binding site complex, which thereby reduced the number of available binding sites. This conclusion is supported by the finding that bGH, which is bound in vitro to isolated liver membranes, dissociates slowly and incompletely in the presence of an excess of unlabeled hormone. Moreover, the degree to which the bound hormone can dissociate appears to depend on the length of time that association is allowed to occur.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Effect of hypophysectomy and growth hormone administration on somatostatin content in the rat hypothalamus.

The effect of hypophysectomy and bovine GH administration on somatostatin (SRIF) content in the rat hypothalamus was investigated. SRIF content was determined by a specific radioimmunoassay method described elsewhere. The total SRIF content of the rat hypothalamus as well as its content per milligram wet weight had decreased 4 weeks after hypophysectomy but was restored significantly in those rats which were subjected to bovine GH administration for 7 days 3 weeks after hypophysectomy. Furthermore, in nonoperated rats, increase of hypothalamic SRIF content was observed after 7 days GH administration. These results indicate that growth hormone may influence the SRIF content of hypothalamus and it seems likely that a feedback mechanism between pituitary GH and hypothalamic SRIF exists.

Animals↗

Insulin release in rats 1 and 5 days after hypophysectomy.

In the present experiments the effect of an intravenous glucose (0.5 g/kg body weight) and an intravenous glibenclamide (1 mg/kg body weight) injection on insulin release was studied in conscious rats shortly after hypophysectomy. 1 and 5 days after removal of the pituitary gland both the fasting blood glucose and the serum insulin concentrations were significantly lower when compared with control rats as was the insulin response to the stimulation by glucose or glibenclamide. In order to elucidate the contribution of the lower fasting blood glucose to the decreased insulin release, the effect of a continuous glucose infusion (2 ml/h of a 40% glucose solution) was studied in hypophysectomy rats. The artificial hyperglycemia for 4 1/2 days did not alter the low glucose-induced insulin release in these animals. The results clearly show that under appropriate in vivo conditions the diminished B-cell function can be detected very shortly after hypophysectomy. Furthermore, it appears that the depressed insulin release in hypophysectomized rats is not related to the lower blood glucose concentration.

Animals↗

Effect of hypophysectomy on the tissue and blood plasminogen activator activity in the rat.

The response of the fibrinolytic system to hypophysectomy in the rat was studied. 4 and 6 weeks after hypophysectomy the tissue plasminogen activator activity (PAA) was significantly increased in the intima of the aorta, slightly but significantly increased in the renal medulla, and significantly decreased in the vessels of the testis. No change in the PAA of the caudal vena cava, heart, lung and renal cortex was noted. Also, the tissue plasmin inhibition remained unchanged. No effect on the PAA in plasma euglobulin fractions was observed, whereas F VIII was slightly but not significantly decreased 6 weeks after hypophysectomy.

Animals↗

Hypophysectomy and porcine fetal lung development.

The effect of hypophysectomy on the development of the lung parenchyma and maturation of pulmonary alveolar type II cells was examined in the fetal pig. In fetuses from four different gilts, hypophysectomy was performed on gestational day 69 or 70. Littermates from the same gilts served as controls. Fetuses were delivered by caesarean section at term (113 +/- 1 days of gestation), and the lungs were fixed by intratracheal instillation. Plasma cortisol and thyroxine concentrations in the umbilical artery were markedly lower for hypophysectomized fetuses compared with control fetuses. Body weight was similar for both groups of fetuses. Total lung volume was 53% smaller in hypophysectomized fetuses compared with control fetuses. However, alveolar septal tissue and capillary luminal volumes were similar in both groups. Total lung alveolar surface area was twice as great in control animals compared with hypophysectomized animals. The volumes of epithelium, interstitium, and endothelium of centriacinar alveolar septa per unit surface area of epithelial basal lamina were 3.7, 4.8, and 2.4 times greater in hypophysectomized fetuses compared with control fetuses. Alveolar type II cell composition also differed significantly between groups. The volume fraction of glycogen in type II cells was 51% for hypophysectomized fetuses and 12% for control fetuses, while lamellar body volume fraction was 8% in hypophysectomized fetuses and 23% in control fetuses. The frequency of alveolar type II cell contact with mesenchymal interstitial cells via foot processes was 5 times greater in the lungs of control animals compared with hypophysectomized animals. These findings demonstrate significant effects of hypophysectomy on the morphogenetic and cytodifferentiation activities of all major tissue compartments of the pulmonary gas exchange area during the final trimester of fetal development.

Animals↗

Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy through the external rhinoplasty approach.

The external rhinoplasty approach is a refinement of the well-recognized sublabial transseptal technique for transsphenoidal hypophysectomy first introduced by Cushing in 1910. This article relates our experience with 111 cases of transsphenoidal hypophysectomy performed during a 10-year period (1982-1992) and includes a detailed description of our use of the external technique. Fifty-one patients were male, and 60 were female. Ages ranged from 12 years to 80 years, with an average of 46 years. One hundred one patients had pituitary adenomas, four had craniopharyngiomas, two had inverting papillomas, and there was one each of lymphoma, metastatic prostate cancer, pituitary abscess, and posttraumatic cerebrospinal fluid leak. Nine of the operations were for recurrent adenomas. Complications included 8 symptomatic anterior septal perforations and 13 asymptomatic posterior perforations. Five had transient cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, five had perioperative hemorrhages, two had minor postoperative columellar deformities, and one had injury to the internal carotid artery requiring embolization. We have found the external technique for transsphenoidal hypophysectomy to be a reliable and facile means for nasal exposure of the sphenoid sinus and pituitary gland without loss of nasal tip projection or significant cosmetic deformity.

Adenoma↗

Developmental changes in the binding of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to testicular preparations of mice and the effects of hypophysectomy and administration of FSH on the binding.

Changes with age in testicular FSH binding and the effects of hypophysectomy and administration of FSH on FSH binding were studied in mice. The binding per unit testicular weight reached a peak at 10-20 days of age and it rapidly decreased during 20-37 days. The total binding per two testes increased from 4 days of age, reaching a peak at 31 days, and decreased thereafter when the testis still continued growing. Scatchard plot analyses of the binding showed that the equilibrium constant of dissociation (Kd) was about 3 X 10(-10) M regardless of age, and the changes in FSH binding were due to changes in the number of binding sites. Hypophysectomy at 90 days of age induced a significant decrease in the testicular weight, but the concentration of FSH binding sites markedly increased 16 days after the operation. In hypophysectomized mice the total number of FSH binding sites was increased 1.8-fold as compared with intact mice. In contrast, hypophysectomy induced a decrease in the total number of LH-binding sites. Injections of 100 micrograms NIH-FSH-P-2 for 10 days to hypophysectomized mice significantly decreased the concentration and the total number of FSH binding sites as compared with those in saline-injected hypophysectomized mice. These results suggest that FSH reduces its own receptors in the testis of mice.

Animals↗

The effect of hypophysectomy on serum placental lactogen and progesterone in the mouse.

Hypophysectomy of pregnant mice on days 10, 12, and 16 of gestation resulted in a large and rapid (12-24 h postoperatively) increase in serum placental lactogen (mPL) concentrations, as measured by homologous RIA. Serum progesterone (P4) concentrations decreased compared to those in intact and sham-operated controls. Significantly, the increase in serum mPL in mice hypophysectomized on days 10 and 12 preceded any decrease in serum P4 concentrations by at least 24 h, suggesting that two indirectly related mechanisms may be involved in the control of the serum concentrations of these hormones. The weight of the uterus, including the feto-placental units, placental weight, and placental content of mPL did not differ between intact, sham-operated, and hypophysectomized groups. The gestational profiles of serum GH and PRL concentrations were similar in the sham-operated and intact controls. Although serum P4 concentrations decreased after hypophysectomy on days 10 and 12 of gestation, the maintenance of the pregnancy was not affected; thus, the reduced concentrations of serum P4 (approximately 50% of control by day 16) were adequate to allow the pregnancy to continue. Hypophysectomy on day 16 of gestation resulted in spontaneous abortion 48 h postoperatively in all but one animal. We conclude that the absence of some pituitary factor(s) results in a rapid increase in serum mPL, while a concomitant, albeit gradual, decrease in serum P4 begins 48 h postoperatively. Therefore, when the pituitary no longer contributes to the luteotropic complex of the midpregnant mouse, an increase in serum mPL alone cannot maintain serum P4 concentrations at control values.

Animals↗

Effect of hypophysectomy with and without thyroxine replacement on growth and circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factors I and II in the fetal lamb.

The role of the pituitary gland in the regulation of skeletal growth and plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II concentrations in the late gestation sheep fetus has been studied. Singleton fetuses were either hypophysectomized (n = 14) or sham operated (n = 8) between days 110 and 125. Fetal and maternal blood samples were collected three times weekly through the remainder of gestation. In some hypophysectomized fetuses (HXT4 group, n = 4), T4 was administered (100 micrograms L-T4/day) to overcome the hypothyroidism caused by hypophysectomy. The other hypophysectomized fetuses received no replacement therapy (HXNR group, n = 10). Six HXNR fetuses were allowed to remain in utero post term and were killed at day 163 of gestation. All other animals were killed at day 147. All values are group means +/- SE. Hypophysectomized fetuses had significantly shorter limbs and long bones and delayed osseous maturation at term compared to sham controls. Plasma free T4 concentrations in HXT4 fetuses were not significantly different from those measured in sham fetuses (P greater than 0.05). Bone maturation at term was normal in HXT4 fetuses although there was no improvement in limb or bone elongation. Retention of hypophysectomized fetuses in utero until 16 days past term yielded fetuses which were heavier than controls but whose limb and bone lengths were no greater than hypophysectomized fetuses killed at term. Osseous maturation was appropriate for term in five of the six postterm hypophysectomized fetuses. The plasma IGF-I and IGF-II concentrations were not significantly affected by hypophysectomy, hypophysectomy with T4 replacement, gestational age, or prolonged gestation. The plasma IGF-I concentrations in the sham, HXNR, and HXT4 fetuses were 35.4 +/- 6.6, 28.2 +/- 3.0, and 34.4 +/- 1.7 ngeq human (h)IGF-I/ml, and the IGF-II concentrations were 656.3 +/- 59.2, 635.3 +/- 56.3, and 645.5 +/- 71.9 ngeq hIGF-II/ml, respectively, and remained within these ranges throughout the experiment. Fetal IGF-I concentrations were significantly lower than mean maternal IGF-I concentrations (88.0 +/- 6.8 ngeq hIGF-I/ml, P less than 0.05), and fetal IGF-II concentrations were significantly higher than mean maternal IGF-II concentrations (362.4 +/- 24.0 ngeq hIGF-II/ml, P less than 0.05). We conclude that in the late gestation fetal sheep, elongation of the appendicular skeleton is under some direct pituitary control whereas appendicular maturation exhibits some dependence on circulating T4 concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Hypophysectomy of the fetal lamb leads to a fall in the plasma concentration of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), but not IGF-II.

The role of the pituitary gland in the regulation of the plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in the late gestation sheep fetus has been examined. Singleton sheep fetuses were either hypophysectomized or sham-operated between days 110-120 of gestation. Blood samples were then collected via carotid cannulae at least three times weekly for the remainder of gestation. In some hypophysectomized fetuses T4 was administered (100 g/day) to overcome the hypothyroidism caused by hypophysectomy. Blood samples were also obtained from lambs during the perinatal period, neonatal lambs within 1-10 days after birth, and pregnant and nonpregnant adult ewes. All plasma samples were subjected to Sephadex G-50 gel filtration under acidic conditions (pH 2.3) to eliminate IGF-binding protein activity. The fractions containing the free IGF peptides were collected and assayed for IGF-I by heterologous RIA, and IGF-II by a homologous RRA. Plasma concentrations of IGF-I and IGF-II did not change with advancing gestational age in any fetal group and were not affected by the prolonged gestation that results from hypophysectomy. The mean plasma IGF-I and IGF-II concentrations in the sham fetuses were 112 +/- 8 and 1340 +/- 112 ng/ml, respectively. Hypophysectomy without thyroid hormone replacement resulted in a significant decrease in plasma IGF-I concentrations to 50 +/- 5 ng/ml, whereas IGF-II concentrations were not affected (1096 +/- 124 ng/ml). IGF-I concentrations in the hypophysectomized fetuses that received T4 were significantly increased (67 +/- 6.0 ng/ml) compared to those in the hypophysectomized fetuses that did not receive T4. The IGF-II concentrations in the hypophysectomized fetuses that received T4 were similar to those in the sham-operated fetuses (1120 +/- 112 ng/ml). At term IGF-I concentrations were increased (180 +/- 21 ng/ml) and IGF-II concentrations were decreased (264 +/- 25 ng/ml) compared to fetal values. Plasma IGF-I concentrations in the prepubertal lamb were similar to the fetal values. Pregnancy in the adult ewe was associated with a significant increase in IGF-II, but had no effect on IGF-I plasma concentrations. These data show that circulating IGF-I concentrations in the fetal lamb are under some pituitary and thyroid control, whereas IGF-II concentrations are independently of pituitary or thyroid status. We confirm, using a homologous assay, that fetal IGF-II concentrations are high and then decrease at term. These data also support the concept that a pregnancy-related factor may regulate plasma IGF-II concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Regulation of testicular inhibin subunit messenger ribonucleic acid levels in vivo: effects of hypophysectomy and selective follicle-stimulating hormone replacement.

To examine the pretranslational regulation of inhibin subunits in the rat testis by FSH, we studied the effects of hypophysectomy with or without selective FSH replacement on testicular inhibin subunit mRNA levels in immature and adult animals. In the first experiment (Exp I), sexually immature (20-23 days old) intact and hypophysectomized male rats were killed 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery, and the testicular content of inhibin subunit mRNAs was determined by filter hybridization. A second group of immature, intact, or hypophysectomized rats was treated with saline or FSH for 7 days as follows: I) intact, saline; II) hypophysectomized, saline; III) hypophysectomized, FSH [0.05 microgram/100 g BW, sc, twice daily (BID)]; IV) hypophysectomized, FSH (0.50 microgram/100 g BW, sc, BID); V) hypophysectomized, FSH (5.0 micrograms/100 g BW, sc, BID); and VI) hypophysectomized, FSH (50.0 micrograms/100 g BW, sc, BID). In the second experiment (Exp II), adult (60 days old) intact or hypophysectomized animals were treated with saline, FSH, and/or testosterone for 7 days as follows: I) intact, saline; II) hypophysectomized; saline; III) hypophysectomized, 22-mm testosterone implant; IV) hypophysectomized, FSH (50.0 micrograms/100 g BW, sc, BID; and V) hypophysectomized, 22-mm testosterone implant plus FSH (50.0 micrograms/100 g BW, sc, BID. The effects of FSH and testosterone on testicular inhibin subunit mRNA levels were measured by filter hybridization. In Exp I, the level of inhibin alpha-subunit mRNA per testis was significantly lower in hypophysectomized rats than in intact controls at all time points after surgery. Replacement of FSH to hypophysectomized immature rats led to a dose-dependent increase in alpha-subunit mRNA per testis. However, hypophysectomy and FSH replacement had no significant effect on beta-B-subunit mRNA. In adult rats (Exp II), hypophysectomy significantly lowered and FSH replacement increased testicular inhibin alpha-subunit mRNA levels. Replacement of testosterone to adult animals, either alone or in combination with FSH, had no effect on expression of inhibin alpha-subunit mRNA. beta-B mRNA levels in adult testis were not significantly altered by any of the treatments. beta-A-Subunit mRNA levels were below the detection threshold of filter hybridization in both Exp I and II. Collectively, these data demonstrate that FSH regulates alpha- but not beta-B-subunit mRNA in the testis of both immature and adult rats in vivo. Differential regulation of inhibin subunits may provide a mechanism for creation and regulation of functional diversity of inhibin-related peptides in the testis.

Animals↗

Microarray analysis of the in vivo effects of hypophysectomy and growth hormone treatment on gene expression in the rat.

Complementary DNA microarrays containing 3000 different rat genes were used to study the consequences of severe hormonal deficiency (hypophysectomy) on the gene expression patterns in heart, liver, and kidney. Hybridization signals were seen from a majority of the arrayed complementary DNAs; nonetheless, tissue-specific expression patterns could be delineated. Hypophysectomy affected the expression of genes involved in a variety of cellular functions. Between 16-29% of the detected transcripts from each tissue changed expression level as a reaction to this condition. Chronic treatment of hypophysectomized animals with human GH also caused significant changes in gene expression patterns. The study confirms previous knowledge concerning certain gene expression changes in the above-mentioned situations and provides new information regarding hypophysectomy and chronic human GH effects in the rat. Furthermore, we have identified several new genes that respond to GH treatment. Our results represent a first step toward a more global understanding of gene expression changes in states of hormonal deficiency.

Animals↗

Persistence of beta-endorphin in human cerebrospinal fluid after hypophysectomy.

beta-Endorphin immunoactivity was measured in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 13 patients with metastatic cancer 1 day before and 5 days after complete transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. Preoperatively, mean beta-endorphin-like immunoactivity in plasma was 18.2 +/- 3.5 pg/ml (SEM) and in CSF 32.3 +/- 6.3 pg/ml. No correlation was noted between the concentration of beta-endorphin in plasma and CSF. Postoperatively, plasma beta-endorphin was undetectable (less than 7 pg/ml) in 12 patients and was low (9.6 pg/ml) in 1 patient. In CSF, however, beta-endorphin was detectable in 10 of the 13 patients postoperatively, with a mean of 14.0 +/- 2.2 pg/ml. Chromatography on Sephadex G-50 of CSF extracts pooled from 3 patients after hypophysectomy showed that the majority of beta-endorphin immunoactivity eluted in the same position as synthetic human beta-endorphin. We conclude that beta-endorphin becomes undetectable in plasma after hypophysectomy in patients receiving exogenous glucocorticoid replacement but remains detectable in significant amounts in CSF. It appears, therefore, that a considerable portion of the beta-endorphin in CSF is of nonpituitary origin, most likely resulting from synthesis and secretion of this peptide by brain directly into the CSF.

Adult↗

Transnasal, transeptal sphenoidal approach to hypophysectomy.

Since 1960 the most useful and widely employed technique for transphenoidal hypophysectomy has generally been via the sublabial, transeptal approach. This procedure has offered excellent exposure, limited blood loss and a direct, midline approach through the sphenoid to the hypophysis, thus preserving certain midline structures as a guide to the appropriate point of entry into the sella turcica. This approach has certain drawbacks, however, not the least of which is the extensive sublabial incision that must be made and the need to remove or otherwise interfere with the nasal spine. This maneuver can result in changes in the vertical dimension of the septal-collumellar area and, more important, often results in permanent numbness of the upper teeth. In patients who wear dentures, it will sometimes produce a bothersome scar which will require refitting or change in wearing patterns for these dentures. It also requires surgical closure. For the past two years at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation a modified transeptal, transphenoidal approach to hypophysectomy has been undertaken conjointly between the Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders and the Department of Neurosurgery. This approach to hypophysectomy may offer a good alternative to the sublabial approach, and in competent hands avoids some of the complications of the latter procedure.

Humans↗

Characterization of GFAP expression and cell proliferation in the rat median eminence following hypophysectomy.

To analyze whether the reorganization of the rat median eminence after hypophysectomy might be related to changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)- and cellular proliferation, the distribution of cells immunoreactive for GFAP and the proliferation rate of such cells were analyzed at 20, 40 and 60 days posthypophysectomy. For this study, four rostro-caudal regions of the median eminence were differentiated: the retrochiasmatic, preinfundibular, infundibular and postinfundibular regions. In each of these regions, three layers were studied: the ependymal, the internal and the external. At 20 and 40 days after hypophysectomy, significant increases in cellular proliferation affecting all three layers studied in the preinfundibular and infundibular regions were found. At the same time points, increases in GFAP expression were also observed. However, after 60 days, GFAP and proliferative cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression decreased. Although variations of PCNA and GFAP levels were evident, no colocalisation of PCNA and GFAP was found in the cells of the median eminence in untreated or hypophysectomized rats when sections were analyzed by double immunohistochemical staining. Our results suggest that reorganization of median eminence involves alterations (or modulation) of GFAP-immunoreactive cells together with a proliferation of cells that are not GFAP-immunoreactive. This study also demonstrates that this reorganization is completed within the first two months after hypophysectomy.

Animals↗

[The effects of ACTH, aminoglutehimide and hypophysectomy on the rat adrenal lipids (author's transl)].

The lipid patterns in the adrenal glands of rats with the adrenocortical steroidogenesis stimulated by ACTH or inhibited by hypophysectomy or by aminoglutehimide (AGT) were compared with those in intact rats. The administration of ACTH caused the gradual decrease in the concentration of cholesteryl ester with the preferential decrease in the proportion of arachidonic acid. The deposition of cholesteryl ester was observed in the adrenal glands of both hypophysectomized and AGT treated rats. Hypophysectomy was accompained by the increase in the proportion of 16:0 and 18:0 and the decrease of 18:2 and 20:3, while AGT administration caused the increase in the proportion of 20:4 and the decrease of 22:6 in the cholesteryl fraction, ACTH and AGT treatments or hypophysectomy resulted in minor alterations of the concentrations and fatty acid compositions of triglyceride and phospholipid. The marked differences in the concentration as well as fatty acid compositions of cholesteryl ester under the stimulated or inhibited adrenal steroidogenesis suggest the important role of fatty acids esterified with cholesterol in the steroid hormone synthesis.

Adrenal Glands↗