Maintenance of adrenalectomized rats through conception, pregnancy, and lactation

Abstract

Maintenance of the reproductive cycle through conception, pregnancy, and lactation was attempted in 231 adrenalectomized rats by subcutaneous replacement therapy with cortisol acetate and/or deoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA). The combination of 100 µg cortisol and 50 µg DCA was not ample for pregnancy maintenance. Saline drinking water (1% NaCl) was insufficient therapy to support pregnancy. Cortisol at 150 or 250 µg and DCA at 250 µg enabled conception and maintenance of pregnancy to occur at 75% and lactation maintenance at 43% of the normal incidence. DCA at 250 µg/day maintained adrenalectomized rats in excellent condition and permitted conception and pregnancy to proceed at a rate equal to the normal control group; however, DCA did not support lactation without the addition of the glucocorticoid. Deoxyribonucleic acid content of the mammary glands was higher in groups receiving cortisol than in the group maintained on DCA.