Sex dimorphism of the adrenal cortex in rats after treatment with dexamethasone.
Sex dimorphism of adrenal cortex of the rat was studied by light and electron microscopy as well as the karyometric, gravimetric, and histometric methods after treatment with dexamethasone (2.0 mg/kg over a period of 4 days). Sex dimorphism cannot be shown in dexamethasone-induced atrophy of adrenal glands. Male fasciculata cells have more and finer distributed liposomes resembling in this way female fasciculata cells. Normally present differences in adrenal weight and nuclear size of fasciculata cells between both sexes disappear; nevertheless, female fasciculata cells remain relatively bigger compared to the corresponding male cells. Annulment of sex dimorphism is thought to be the result of altered functional activity of the zona fasciculata due to failing pituitary stimulation. Higher secretion activity of female fasciculata cells probably ceases after dexamethasone treatment.
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007620:Karyometry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D003907:Dexamethasone