Effect of cyproterone acetate on the structure of the adrenal cortex.

Adult male C57 BL/6J mice injected with 0.08 mg/g of cyproterone acetate showed an increase in cellular lipid content in the zona fasciculata and zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex. In the perimedullary region, densely staining cells aggregated to form scattered nodules. At the ultrastructural level, in the zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata the number and size of lipid droplets increased. An apparent decrease in mitochondrial number and size and a noticeable diminution in the amount of smooth endoplasmic reticulum were also noted in the zona fasciculata. It is suggested that cyproterone acetate may have blocked steroid synthesis and increased adrenal cholesterol deposits.