Abstract
Summary
Nulliparous and parous albino, and nulliparous wild stock female mice were subjected to grouping. Weights of adrenals, thymus, spleen, ovaries, and uterus were obtained. Widths of the adrenocortical X- and fasciculata-reticularis zones were measured and number of cells in columns of fasciculata-reticularis determined. Weights of adrenals, thymus, and ovaries were not significantly affected by grouping. Increased adrenocortical activity with grouping was indicated by cellular hyperplasia of the zonae fasciculata-reticularis. Increased involution of the adrenal X-zone with grouping may be accounted for by increased adrenal androgens. Diminished uterine weight in grouped nulliparous females suggests suppression of gonadal function and gonadotrophin secretion. Based partly on prior evidence, it was concluded that an increase in splenic weight was associated with grouping. The observed responses account only in small part for the degree of adrenocortical activity and reproductive suppression in populations of mixed sex.
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