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EVIDENCE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF A PINEAL-ADRENAL AND A PINEAL-THYROID AXIS

1972; Oxford University Press; Volume: 70; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1530/acta.0.0700035

1479-683X

Ralph A. DeFronzo, W Roth,

Adipose Tissue and Metabolism

ABSTRACT The effect of the rat pineal on the adrenal and thyroid were examined utilizing organ weight and the RNA to DNA ratio as an index of synthetic activity. Pinealectomy was found to increase adrenal activity as measured by the RNA to DNA ratio ( P < 0.01) irrespective of ovarian involvement. Melatonin was found to inhibit adrenal activity as measured by the RNA to DNA ratio ( P < 0.05). Pinealectomy alone was followed by a significant increase in thyroid weight ( P < 0.01). Administration of melatonin to pinealectomized, ovariectomized animals had the opposite effect ( P < 0.04).