The Effects of Prolonged Administration of Some Adrenocortical Steroids in the Rat

An approximation has been made of the relative potency of some adrenocortical steroids to retard body growth and cause adrenocortical atrophy in chronically treated rats. The site of cortical atrophy and depletion of sudanophilic lipid varies with the nature of the steroid administered. The implications of these findings have been discussed with particular reference to the pituitary control of the zona glomerulosa. Corticosteroid induced adrenocortical atrophy is reversible on cessation of treatment. The effect of prolonged administration of cortisone on the weight of organs and other endocrine glands has also been studied.