Sex differences in adrenocortical structure and function. XI. Autoradiographic studies on cell proliferation and turnover in the adrenal cortex of the male and female rat and its dependence on testosterone and estradiol

Adrenal glands from orchectomized and ovariectomized rats, with and without replacement therapy, and also from intact controls of both sexes, were examined by autoradiography with 3H-thymidine. The labelling index after 1 or 2 nucleoside injections was higher in the zona glomerulosa of females than...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell and tissue research 1982-11, Vol.227 (3), p.651-657
Main Authors: Malendowicz, L K, Jachimowicz, B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenal Cortex - cytology
Animals
Autoradiography
Castration
Cell Division
Estradiol - pharmacology
Female
Interphase
Kinetics
Male
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
Sex Factors
Testosterone - pharmacology
Thymidine - metabolism
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Summary:Adrenal glands from orchectomized and ovariectomized rats, with and without replacement therapy, and also from intact controls of both sexes, were examined by autoradiography with 3H-thymidine. The labelling index after 1 or 2 nucleoside injections was higher in the zona glomerulosa of females than in male rats, while no differences were found in the fascicular and reticular zones. Orchiectomy increased the labelling index in the fascicular and reticular zones, an effect prevented by testosterone. Ovariectomy did not change the labelling index, while estradiol lowered it in the zona glomerulosa. Duration of the S phase was longer in the zona fasciculata cells of males than in females. Both orchiectomy and testosterone shortened this phase in cells of the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. Ovariectomy prolonged the S phase in the zona fasciculata and shortened this time in the reticular zone, an effect reversed by estradiol. In the glomerular and fascicular zones, cell cycle time was longer in males than in females. Orchiectomy shortened this time in all adrenocortical zones, an effect reversed by testosterone. Ovariectomy shortened cell cycle time in the glomerular and reticular zones and prolonged it in the zona fasciculata; these effects were reversed by estradiol. Turnover rate in adrenocortical cells was markedly higher in females than in males, a difference due to testosterone which markedly decreased turnover rate.
ISSN:0302-766X
1432-0878
DOI:10.1007/BF00204795