Sites of the Negative Feedback Action of Corticosteroids on the Hypothalamo-Hypophysial System of the Rat Fetus

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Abstract

Dexamethasone, corticosterone and deoxycorticos-terone were given to intact, encephalectomized or decapitated rat fetuses from mothers treated with metyrapone, in order to deter-mine the location of the sites of the negative feedback action of corticosteroids. The corticosterone concentration dropped in the adrenals and plasma of intact fetuses, measured on the 22nd day of pregnancy (21-day-old fetuses), after metyrapone (30 mg) had been given to the mothers on the 21st day of pregnancy (20-day-old fetuses). Adrenal hypertrophy was observed in intact (35%) and encephalectomized (18%) but not in decapitated fetuses. Corticosterone acetate (100 µg) prevented adrenal hypertrophy in both intact and encephalectomized fetuses. Dexamethasone acetate (125 µg) prevented adrenal hypertrophy only in the intact fetuses. A high level of deoxycorticosterone acetate (600 µg) also prevented adrenal hypertrophy. These results are discussed. These data suggest that the pituitary as well as the hypothalamus and/or the upper nervous structures contain sites sensitive to the negative feedback action of corticosterone. They also point toward a hypothalamic site of action of dexamethasone.

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Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): NEN

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Neuroendocrinology

Journal ID (doi): 10.1159/issn.0028-3835

Title: Neuroendocrinology

Publisher: S. Karger AG

ISSN (Print): 0028-3835

ISSN (Electronic): 1423-0194

Publication date Subscription-year: 1974

Publication date (Print): 1974

Publication date (Electronic): 20 March 2008

Volume: 16

Issue: 3-4

Pages: 148-155

Affiliations

Laboratoire de Physiologie Comparée, Université de Paris VI, Paris

Article

Publisher ID: 122561 Other ID: Neuroendocrinology 1974;16:148–155

DOI: 10.1159/000122561

PubMed ID: 4449584

SO-VID: e27844af-e5b3-4afe-ab45-9a5379c9c17c

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Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

History

Date received : 25 February 1974

Date accepted : 01 June 1974

Page count

Pages: 8

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