Comparative stereological studies on the effects of long term CRF and ACTH treatment on the cortex of the suprarenal gland.

The aim of the study was to investigate by means of stereological and biochemical methods the effects of long-term CRF administration on the cortex of the suprarenal gland of adult male rats and to compare these effects with those of ACTH. Both CRF (administered into the lateral ventricle of the brain) and ACTH resulted after 8 days in an increase in weight of the suprarenal gland. Both treatments increased the volume of individual adrenocortical zones and the average volume of adrenocortical cells as well as enhancing the total number of parenchymal cells in the paired glands. There was also no significant difference in those functional parameters studied of the adrenocortical cells of CRF- and ACTH-treated rats. Thus, long term treatment of adult male rats with CRF evoked adrenocortical changes similar to those observed after ACTH administration.