EXTIRPATION AND AUTOTRANSPLANTATION OF SUPRARENAL CAPSULES IN ALBINO RATS.

Abstract

It is a well known fact that total extirpation of adrenal glands in mammal is followed by death within a few days.
Some authors reported that a few species such as rabbit or rat survive even after the total adrenalectomy. As to the transplantation of this gland some one reported positive result and the others denyed it.
The rats were used experimental animals. Total adrenalectomy (simultaneously or at an interval two timely) were performed in nineteen rats. The greater part died in a few days except, three, which survived over one month.
After adrenalectomy, then the right whole adrenal or only cortical tissue was transplantated under the right.dorsal muscular membrane. Twenty-six rats were employed in this experiment. The greater part died in a few days as in the case of extirpation. Seven rats were survived. These rats were killed between 2 and 21 days in several different periods. Transplantated part were examined histologically. In one of these cases (only cortical tissue transplantated and after weeks was killed) autograft survived.
Conclusion
1. The total adrenalectomy does not always accompanied by the death.
2. With careful attention after the operation, their survival rate amounts to i6 per cent.
3. The simultaneous and secondary adrenalectomy bring the nearly equal results.
4. Autotransplantation of the isolated adrenals are not always impossible ; and according to the conditions the cortical tissue may survive.