Ultrastructure of hepatocyte nuclei in irradiated, adrenalectomized rats.

A cytochemical study of hepatocyte nuclei of adrenalectomized and irradiated rats were performed. After irradiation alone the behaviour of the ribonucleoprotein components was studied according to Bernhard. The findings suggested that a delay occurs in the synthesis of preribosomal RNA in the nucleoli and in the transport of messenger RNA to the cytoplasm. The indirect effect of ionizing radiation on nuclear RNA synthesis is assumed to occur through the influence of cortical steroid hormones on the transcription process.