Sex differences in adrenocortical structure and function. X. Lipid and corticosterone in the rat adrenal as affected by gonadectomy and testosterone or estradiol replacement

Abstract

Studies were performed on lipid and corticosterone content in adrenal glands of intact male and female rats and on their relation to gonadectomy and gonadal hormone replacement. Concentration of total lipid, total cholesterol, phospholipid and glycerides is similar in adrenals of adult male and female rats, however their content, due to larger adrenals, is markedly higher in females. Orchiectomy has no effect on concentration of lipid classes studied while their content in adrenals increased. Testosterone replacement resulted in an increase in concentration of total lipid and phospholipid and has no effect on total cholesterol and glyceride concentration. Ovariectomy evoked an increase in total lipid and phospholipid concentration, has no effect on glycerides and lowered total cholesterol concentration in rat adrenals, while estradiol replacement diminished concentration of all classes of lipids studied. Adrenal corticosterone concentration is higher in female than male rat while no differences in BT-positive steroid were observed. Orchiectomy increased corticosterone concentration, after testosterone administration the value did not differ from control. Ovariectomy has no effect and estradiol increases corticosterone concentration in the gland. Performed studies suggest that testosterone increases the concentration of main classes of lipids and decreases the corticosterone concentration in the rat adrenal cortex while estradiol has an opposite effect.