Abstract
Summary
Sham-adrenalectomized and adrenalectomized maturing white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus noveboracensis) of both sexes were injected subcutaneously with 4 units of ACTH daily for 10 days. Mice were adrenalectomized when 26–28 days old and each mouse was maintained thereafter on subcutaneous injections of 50 μg of cortisol acetate/day.
In a second experiment, the effects of 5 units of ACTH daily for 10 days and of group caging (6–8 mice/cage) for 10 days were determined in intact mature P. leucopus 80–100 days old at the start of treatment.
ACTH inhibited reproductive function in intact mature and maturing P. leucopus of both sexes, and in adrenalectomized maturing mice of both sexes maintained on cortisol. Group caging inhibited reproductive function in both sexes. In contrast to its effects on house mice, grouping reduced adrenal weight in both sexes. Grouping and ACTH inhibit reproductive function in male P. leucopus to a much greater extent than in house mice.
ACTH produced no renal lesions in P. leucopus.
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