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The adrenals of female house rat—Rattus rattus L., in various phases of reproductive activity

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

The adrenals of female house rat exhibit gravimetric as well as histological changes in response to reproductive activity. Sexually active females have larger and heavier adrenals than those of nonactive ones. The adrenals of oestrous females are significantly heavier than those of either the juveniles or the non-pregnant females. There is a progressive increase in adrenal weight from oestrus through pregnancy to lactation. Lactating females have the heaviest adrenals. Increase in adrenal weight is chiefly due to the enlargement of the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex, accompanied by increased vascularity. In non-pregnant females, the reticularis is much smaller than the fasciculata and there is diminished vascularity.

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  1. Department of Zoology, Government College of Arts and Science, 431001, Aurangabad

    R. V. Bhavsar

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  1. R. V. Bhavsar
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Bhavsar, R.V. The adrenals of female house rat—Rattus rattus L., in various phases of reproductive activity. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 83, 73–78 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03045462

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03045462

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