Abstract
In order to ascertain the effect of ACTH and stress on the X-zone of the mouse adrenals, starvation and administration of ACTH and formalin were performed on normal, bypophysectomized and ovariectomized virgin animals. Stress and the administration of ACTH induced a particular kind of regression in the X-zone of normal and hypophysectomized mice, which could not be prevented by preliminary ovariectomy or cortisone administration. The most severe lesions of the X-zone were observed in the starved group.
The X-zone was maintained and even hypertrophied by the administration of hydrocortisone, and this was ascribed to the decreased secretion of ACTH.
