Responses of Adrenals of Mother and New Born Albino Mice to Barbiturates

Abstract

Long term use of barbital sodium in the albino mice mother during pregestation and gestation periods results in depressed adrenal function of the mother. Transfer of this agent through placenta and breast milk induces the adrenocortical activity of the newborns as a whole. Hence a biphasic role of this pharmacodynamic agent on adrenal function is observed which is interrelated not only with the days variance of treatment but also with the age of the animals. Results have been interpreted both histologically and histochemically.