Similarity of Response of Thymus and Lymph Nodes to Administration of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone in the Rat.

Administration of purified ACT to the male rat produces by its action on the adrenal cortex a striking reduction in the weight and size of the thymus gland and the cervical lymph nodes. This same effect is not manifest in the adrenalectomized animal. This finding furnishes further evidence for the existence of a definite relationship between adrenal cortex and thymus and lymph nodes. Functional interpretation of this relationship awaits further experimental and clinical study.