Effect or partial hepatectomy on secretion and metabolism of corticosterone in the rat.

Investigations on the interrelationship between the rate of hepatic corticosterone metabolism intraadrenal 5 alpha-steroid reductase activity were performed in the rat. As an experimental model partially hepatectomized animals were employed. Male rats were studied 24 hrs, 3 and 8 days post surgery and female 5 and 8 days after partial hepatectomy. In male and female rats, partial hepatectomy caused an increase in adrenal 5 alpha-steroid reductase activity, however, this effect was observed only in rats studied 8 days post surgery, These results suggest the participation of the liver in the regulation of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and show that intraadrenal 5 alpha-steroid reductase may be involved in this regulatory system.