title: Thymic hormone-containing cells. VII. Adrenals and gonads control the in vivo secretion of thymulin and its plasmatic inhibitor.
abstract: The influence of adrenals and gonads on the intrathymic production and the circulating level of thymulin was evaluated in young adult mice. Adrenalectomy (Adx) and gonadectomy (Cx) induce a temporary decrease of thymulin serum level. One simultaneously notes, as a compensatory phenomenon, an increase in the thymic content of the hormone-producing cells. The decrease of serum thymulin levels after Adx and Cx is at least partially due to the appearance of low m.w. thymulin-inhibitory molecules. The fact that thymectomy prevents the appearance of these inhibitors suggests that the effects of Adx and Cx could be explained by a negative control by sex hormones of the synthesis or activity of thymulin inhibitors produced or controlled by the thymus. Specific hormone replacement therapy of castrated/adrenalectomized animals normalized thymulin serum level and thymic content. Such correction was also spontaneously observed after 4 mo, suggesting that other mechanisms (e.g., an influence of the hypothalamus-hypophysis axis) might be involved in the endocrine control of thymic hormone secretion.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dardenne
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Savino
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duval
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaiserlian
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hassid
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bach
mesh_terms: D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D007700:Kinetics; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013951:Thymus Hormones / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D013951:Thymus Hormones; C022060:rosette-inhibiting factor; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating