Biosynthetic ad morphological evidence for inhibition of aldosterone production following administration of ACTH to sheep
McDougall, J.G.; Butkus, A.; Coghlan, J.P.; Denton, D.A.; Müller, J.; Oddie, C.J.; Robinson, P.M.; Scoggins, B.A.
Acta Endocrinologica 94(4): 559-570
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5598 PMID: 6254302 Document Number: 160056
The effect of ACTH administration for 1-5 days on the morphology and steroidogenic capability of sheep adrenal tissue was examined. During this period of treatment there was a gradual decline in the in vitro conversion of 3H-labeled precursors to products of solely zona glomerulosa origin (aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone) while conversion to products of zona fasciculata origin (17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol and cortisol) was stimulated throughout. Conversion to DOC , 18-hydroxy-DOC and corticosterone (steroids produced by both the zona glomerulosa and the zona fasciculata) declined after initial stimulation. Within 2-3 days of the commencement of treatment, the zona glomerulosa showed a progressive decrease in cell number associated with disruption of cords and cell separation. Ultrastructurally, typical zona glomerulosa cells had almost disappeared. The majority of residual cells in this area had a structure intermediate between zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata cells. The similarity in time-course of the alterations in both the morphological and biosynthetic characteristics suggests that the decline in aldosterone output caused by ACTH administration to sheep results from the loss of adrenal zona glomerulosa cells, predominantly due to selective cellular degeneration.