VOLUMETRICAL OBSERVATION ON THE INFLUENCE OF MATERNAL SHAM HYPOPHYSECTOMY ON THE FETAL ADRENAL GLAND

Abstract

Using the Sprague-Dawley strain of pregnant rats stressed with sham hypophysectomy as a trauma, the reactions of the maternal adrenals, the fetal pituitary and the fetal adrenals were examined quantitatively comparing with the data on fetuses after maternal hypophysectomy. Some of the animals were hypophysectomized on 141/2 days (group D), and 181/2 days (group B) of pregnancy.
Other pregnant rats were treated with sham hypophysectomy at the same times (groups E and C). In groups E and C, it was found that the maternal adrenal weight showed a remarkable increase. On the contrary, the fetuses in these groups showed a remarkable decline in the volume of the adrenal and in the volume of the pituitary, especially in the adrenals.
From these results, it may be suggested that the increased cortical steroid in the circulation of the mother treated with sham hypophysectomy as stress does cross the placental barrier, enter the fetus and give an inhibiting effect on the development of the pituitary and adrenal of the fetus, especially on the adrenal.