Changes in Adrenal Gland and Thymus Induced by Sex Steroid Administration in Newborn Rats

Testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), progesterone, estradiol-17beta, estrone, estriol, 2-hydroxyestradiol-17beta, 2-hydroxyestriol, deoxyestrone and diethylstilbestrol were injected s.c. in a dose of 0.5 mg each into newborn rats on the first day of life, and changes in the adrenal gland, thymus and spleen were examined 3 days later. Increase in the body weight during the 3 days was less in rats treated with DHEA, 2-hydroxyestriol and deoxyestrone, as compared with that in controls. Development of the thymus was significantly impaired in rats injected with various kinds of sex steroids, except progesterone and diethylstilbestrol. Reduction of the spleen weight by sex steroid treatment was not marked. The weight of adrenal gland decreased in rats injected with DHEA and progesterone, while the weight increased in those given estrone and diethylstilbestrol. Estrogens, particularly estriol, induced a marked increase in adrenal corticosterone content, while 2-hydroxyestriol caused only slight elevation and 2-hydroxyestradiol and deoxyestrone had no influence on the content. Suppressive effect of cortisol on the adrenal gland of newborn rats was slightly, but significantly, lessened by estriol treatment. From the results, physiological role of estriol and DHEA in adrenal secretion was discussed.