title: Role of the endocrine system in the action of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the thymus.
abstract: Several experiments were conducted to study the involvement of the adrenal and the pituitary gland in the acute toxic effects of TCDD. Adrenalectomized or hypophysectomized rats were treated with a single oral dose of 10 or 20 microgram of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)/kg body weight. The reduced growth rate, the hepatotoxic effects and thymic involution induced by TCDD were not prevented by the adrenalectomy. The pituitary gland did not appear to be involved in causing thymic involution. In fact, the thymic effects of TCDD intoxication were even somewhat increased in hypophysectomized rats. Treatment with growth hormone failed to prevent thymic involution or the influence of TCDD on the liver.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004147:Dioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D004147:Dioxins; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D013006:Growth Hormone