Unstressed Corticosterone Levels of Male Rats with Surgically Induced Low Aldosterone Levels
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
21-4-2008 1:00 PM
End Date
21-4-2008 3:00 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Penny Knoblich
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Aldosterone, the major mineralocorticoid hormone, plays a role in reabsorbing sodium into the body, thus increasing body sodium levels. It is secreted from the outer layer of the adrenal gland from granulosa cells. Aldosterone has been known to be associated with hypertension development in both humans and animals, and it also may be necessary for normal development of the fetus. In previous studies, a procedure was performed where adrenalectomy of one adrenal gland was executed, while the outer adrenal cortex of the other intact adrenal gland was frozen. This allowed the remaining portions of the adrenal gland to continue their function, while still investigating the role of reduced aldosterone in fetal development and the development of hypertension. It was found in these studies that stressed blood levels of aldosterone in male rats remained reduced up to eight weeks post surgery, but corticosterone levels were also reduced. In a more recent study, it was found that unstressed levels of aldosterone were reduced at eight weeks post surgery, but unstressed corticosterone levels were normal. The goal of the current study was to measure unstressed levels of aldosterone and corticosterone in male WKY rats at two and four weeks post surgery to determine if the unstressed levels of corticosterone in the blood are initially reduced. Half of the rats underwent a sham procedure, while the other half underwent the adrenal freezing procedure.
Unstressed Corticosterone Levels of Male Rats with Surgically Induced Low Aldosterone Levels
CSU Ballroom
Aldosterone, the major mineralocorticoid hormone, plays a role in reabsorbing sodium into the body, thus increasing body sodium levels. It is secreted from the outer layer of the adrenal gland from granulosa cells. Aldosterone has been known to be associated with hypertension development in both humans and animals, and it also may be necessary for normal development of the fetus. In previous studies, a procedure was performed where adrenalectomy of one adrenal gland was executed, while the outer adrenal cortex of the other intact adrenal gland was frozen. This allowed the remaining portions of the adrenal gland to continue their function, while still investigating the role of reduced aldosterone in fetal development and the development of hypertension. It was found in these studies that stressed blood levels of aldosterone in male rats remained reduced up to eight weeks post surgery, but corticosterone levels were also reduced. In a more recent study, it was found that unstressed levels of aldosterone were reduced at eight weeks post surgery, but unstressed corticosterone levels were normal. The goal of the current study was to measure unstressed levels of aldosterone and corticosterone in male WKY rats at two and four weeks post surgery to determine if the unstressed levels of corticosterone in the blood are initially reduced. Half of the rats underwent a sham procedure, while the other half underwent the adrenal freezing procedure.
Recommended Citation
Deets, Jillian. "Unstressed Corticosterone Levels of Male Rats with Surgically Induced Low Aldosterone Levels." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 21, 2008.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2008/poster-session-B/4
