Title: Simultaneous Effects of Thyroid and Adrenal Inhibitors on Maternal-Fetal Endocrine Interrelations in the Rat
Abstract: Functional alterations in the pituitary-thyroid and adrenocortical systems of mother and newborn were studied after treatment of pregnant rats (last 7–10 days of gestation) with chemical agents known to influence thyroid and adrenal gland function. Amphenone treatment (25–30 rag, sc, twice daily, 10 days) resulted in adrenal and thyroid gland hypertrophy and augmentation of 131I uptake by the latter. With shorter treatment, radioiodine uptakes by the enlarged thyroids were decreased and corticosteroid levels in plasma and adrenal were depressed. Effects on the fetal pituitarythyroid system were marked. Newborn from Amphenone-treated mothers showed enlarged thyroids (3-fold) with sharply decreased 131I uptake. Fetal goitrogenesis was associated with pituitary enlargement but adrenal hypertrophy in newborn was only of moderate degree and was not accompanied by significant change in adrenocorticosteroid content. Plasma and pituitary TSH levels in goitrous newborn were increased 200–300%. Conjoint administration of propylthiouracil (PTU:.14% in diet) and cyanotrimethylandrostenolone (CK: 4–5 mg daily, sc) simultaneously affected the maternal and fetal pituitary-thyroid and adrenal axes. In intact pregnant rats administered CK, with or without PTU, adrenal weight was increased and corticosteroid concentrations of plasma and adrenal reduced. Hypophysectomy prevented maternal adrenal hypertrophy, accentuated the decline in plasma and adrenal corticosteroid levels, and markedly reduced 131I thyroidal uptake. Newborn from intact or hypophysectomized, pregnant rats receiving combined treatment with both inhibitors displayed thyroid and adrenal hyperplasia with reduced adrenocorticosteroid concentrations. Plasma TSH level was consistently elevated in the goitrous newborn; pituitary TSH content was either decreased or increased. It is concluded that amphenone, PTU and cyanoketone administered to pregnant rats cross the placenta to block fetal thyroid and/or adrenocortical hormone secretion, as a consequence of which TSH and/or ACTH secretion by the fetal hypophysis is simultaneously enhanced. (Endocrinology89: 591, 1971)
Publication Year: 1971
Publication Date: 1971-08-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 3
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