Changes within the thymus gland as induced by high doses of hydrocortisone--histological and histochemical aspects.
The investigations were carried out on mature male Wistar rats. Hydrocortisone was administered intramuscularly for the period of 10 or 20 days. Histological findings showed that within the thymus gland the compact and fat connective tissue was proliferated, including both cortical and medullar zones. In the medullar part large vesicular forms filled with a substance of a basic character could be observed. Studying the thymus sections from the histochemical point of view, one could note numerous cells filled up with the Gomori-positive substance. The cells, mainly grouping in the cortical zone were often of a giant size.
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D006854:Hydrocortisone