Effects of adrenalectomy on reproduction in the mouse

Survival of mice treated with sesame seed oil after adrenalectomy was very low and suggested no beneficial effect, whereas treatment with progesterone improved the chances of survival. Treatment with desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and methyl prednisolone acetate also increased the number of animals surviving after adrenalectomy. The corticosteroids were significantly more effective in ensuring survival than was progesterone. There was no significant difference in survival between mice receiving a single injection of 1.0 mg DOCA and those being given an injection of 1.0 mg DOCA per day for 3 days after the operation. To ensure minimum interference of exogenous corticosteroid with the experimental investigation, animals routinely received only a single injection of 1.0 mg DOCA after the operation. The chance of survival after adrenalectomy was higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant mice. There was a significant linear increase in survival during the first 5 days of pregnancy. Progesterone and prolactin both appeared to be involved in increasing the chance of survival in adrenalectomized pregnant mice. Adrenalectomy had no effect on the number of mice mating and ovulating. Adrenalectomized mice were apparently having normal cycles and 4 weeks after adrenalectomy they were able to mate and ovulate. Compensatory ovulation was seen in hemi-ovariectomized mice and was not abolished by adrenalectomy. Implantation was also unaffected by the operation.