Effect of prostaglandin E2 and A2 on steroid synthesis by the rat adrenal gland.

Prostaglandin E2 increased aldosterone output by superfused capsular adrenal glands obtained from sodium-repleted, hypophysectomized rats but corticosterone did not show a statistically significant increase. Prostaglandin A2 increased corticosterone but not aldosterone production by incubated capsular glands obtained from sodium-repleted, hypophysectomized rats. Both aldosterone and corticosterone production rates were increased by PGA2 after previous sodium restriction. Corticosterone production rate of the decapsulated adrenal gland was not significantly modified by prostaglandin A2 in a concentration effective on the capsular adrenal gland. A possible role of prostaglandins in the regulation of aldosterone secretion is discussed.