[Effect of thymectomy on the endocrine function of the adrenal cortex and testes in rats].

The paper is concerned with a study of endocrine function of the adrenal cortex and testes of rats after thymectomy using a radioimmunoassay. Postnatal thymectomy resulted after 3 months in a decrease in the level of corticosterone in the blood, the level of testosterone did not change as compared to that in animals after false operation. Thymectomized rats were characterized by a stronger sensitivity of the adrenals and gonads to physical exercise of moderate intensity which was expressed in a more significant elevation of the corticosterone level in the blood and a decrease in the testosterone level. A decrease in the Na+ concentration and an increase in the K+ content in erythrocytes and blood plasma were revealed in the thymectomized rats 3 and 6 mos after operation. A deficit of the thymus hormone influenced endocrine function of the adrenals and testes.