Influence of the adrenal cortex on allograft rejections in rats

I. The bibliography about corticosteroid influence on immune response is briefly reviewed. Generally, it is admitted that corticosteroids are immunosuppressive when administered in large amounts. Divergent opinions are recalled. II. The aims of the experiments are summarized: A) Investigate on the influence of corticoids (given in just substitutive amounts) on skin allograft rejection. B) Investigate on possible interactions between adrenal cortex and thymus with this test. III. It was observed, that A) Adrenalectomy resulted in a significant delay of allograft rejection. B) This could be suppressed partially by administering aldosterone, corticosterone, and desoxycorticosterone and completely by administering at least two of these hormones. C) Cortisol had shown a minor inhibitory influence. D) There was no obvious difference between adrenalectomized and thymectomized rats and those adrenalectomized only. IV. These observations are replaced in the context of bibliography and their significance is discussed.