Tthe Effects of Ovariectomy on the Adrenal Glands of the Albino Rat

THAT AN adrenal-ovary relationship exists is established, but its nature and significance are as yet incompletely known. This experiment was carried out in order to study morphologic changes in the adrenal glands following ovariectomy, with the hope of elucidating further the connection between these structures. Of the vast amount of literature which deals directly and indirectly with the subject, reference will be made only to some of the more important and pertinent reports in the discussion of results. A study was made of 99 pairs of adrenal glands obtained from female albino rats of the Wistar strain, treated as follows: weaning to 3-month group, 22 control and 21 test animals, operated on during the 4th week of age and autopsied at 3 months; weaning to 6-month group, 25 control and 25 test animals, operated on during the 4th week of age and killed at 6 months; and 3- to 6-month group, 4 control and 3 test animals, operated on at 3 months and killed at 6.