Effect of hormones on ceruloplasmin and copper concentrations in the plasma of the rat

Abstract

Ceruloplasmin and plasma copper concentrations in the albino rat continually increase from bith, reaching a peak between 9 and 12 months of age. In the adrenalectomized rat, ceruloplasmin and plasma Cu were significantly higher than normal up to 10 months after surgery. Subcutaneous gelatin injections caused a significant ceruloplasmin and plasma Cu increase. ACTH in gelatin inhibited the ceruloplasmin and plasma Cu increase accompanying gelatin injections. Sodium levothyroxine injections significantly decreased the ceruloplasmin and plasma Cu of both the neonatal and adult rat. Cortisone acetate and sodium levothyroxine injected at birth caused a significant increase in ceruloplasmin and plasma Cu in the mature rat.