Spontaneous evolution of the X zone of the adrenal cortex in castrated mice

Abstract

Mice castrated befor puberty constantly show in the adrenal cortex a dens zoue near the medulla, known by the níƒame of X zone. Same becames affected with atrophy by administration of testosterone.

In mice castrated in the pre-puberal age and killed after six months the spontaneous disappearance of zone X is observed, being replaced by a broad light coloured stripe fcrmed by very vamolated cells with picnotic nucleus this formation is conventionally given the níƒame of zone Y. The Jatter does not disappear totally after administration of testosterone.

The administration of chorionic gonadotrophine (400 I. U. distributed over four days) to castrated mice with zone X, causes the rapid trans- formation of the latter into a light coloured stripe analogous to zone Y. Other hormonal substances (equine gonadotrophine, corticotrophine, oes-tradiol, pregnanolone, androstendiol) have no decisive influence on zones X or Y.

The study of spermatic vesicles shows that zone Y is absolutely lacking in androgenic action. Zone Y is probably a result of exhanstion of zone X ; this phenomenon occurs spontaneously in the course of time but may be provoked rapidly by the administration of chorionic gonado­ trophine.