The role of corticosterone in cadmium-induced thymic atrophy in mice

Serum corticosterone levels were determined at intervals after i.p. injection of 1.8 mg cadmium (Cd)/kg body weight. Thymus weight decreased significantly 3 days after injection. The effect of Cd injection on serum corticosterone levels was almost indistinguishable from that of saline injection. Further, Cd-induced thymic atrophy was observed in adrenalectomized mice as well as in sham-operated ones. These results suggest that corticosteroid effect is not essential for the induction of thymic atrophy by Cd.