[Morphofunctional characteristics of the adrenal cortex of mice following thymarin administration]

A study was made of the effect of the Soviet original drug thymarin on the adrenal cortex of male CBA mice. The drug was obtained from the cattle thymus and is known to induce competence of the T lymphocyte system of immunity. Histoenzymological studies disclosed a statistically significant reduction in the activity of NAD. H- and NADP X X H-diaphorases, glucoso-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatases in adrenocortical cells. Linear dimensions and cell volumes in the glomerular, fascicular and reticular zones were also found to be reduced. Thymarin is suggested to be one of the factors that regulate the structure and function of the adrenal cortex. It is believed that thymarin may exert a repressive effect on the adrenal cortex.