Effects of corticosterone on protein, RNA, DNA and tubulin contents in developing male and female rat brains.
The effects of corticosterone treatment on chemical components and tubulin content were studied in the cerebrum, cerebellum and hypothalamus from male and female rats during early life. A dual effect of corticosterone treatment was observed in the cerebellum during the course of growth. In the cerebellum from 10-day-old rats, total soluble protein. DNA, and tubulin content (mg per g wet tissue) increased in the hormone-treated male organ, but RNA, DNA, and tubulin content (mg per g wet tissue) increased in the hormone-treated female. On the other hand, the cerebellum from 20-day-old rats, RNA and tubulin content (mg per g wet tissue) and relative tubulin content (mg per g total protein) decreased in the hormone-treated male organ, but the female cerebellum exhibited a decrease in total protein and tubulin content (mg per g wet tissue), and relative tubulin content after corticosterone administration. Only a few effects of the corticosterone treatment were observed in the cerebrum and hypothalamus from both sexes. It is likely that corticosterone has marked effects on the cerebellum among the three brain-regions in early life, and the dual effect of the hormone in the cerebellum appears to be due to the different responsiveness in the developmental stages of nerve cells, at which the treatment was started.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D012737:Sex Factors; D014404:Tubulin / Q000032:analysis
D011506:Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D003345:Corticosterone