BIOLOGY

OF

REPRODUCTION

13,

Effect

347-352

of Adrenalectomy

on Light-Induced Puberty in Rats

JUDITH

A.

RAMALEY

Department

and

DELPUINE

of Physiology

University

of

York

New

and

and

Medical

York,

Center

68105,

Obstetrics New

Biophysics

Medical

Nebraska

Department

BARTOSIK

and

Nebraska

Omaha,

Precocious

Gynecology College

New

York

10029

ABSTRACT Weanling intact,

rats

were

sham-operated

or

adrenalectomized opening. days

39.7

Sham

extent There

was the

no

rats

the

adrenal

and

required

for of

vaginal

by

but

events

that

lead

adrenalectomized

corticosterone

or

for

opening

is diminished

to

puberty

in

female rat (for review

can be influenced by see Ramaley, 1974).

adrenal status For example,

puberty

delayed

are

is

in

rats

that

vaginal opening 30 days of

Lawton,

1974). The determine

to

was

condition opening The

been rats

the

would

be

shown

levels

to

initiate

1941). of of

determine

whether

gonadal

would

be associated

the

maturation

April July

to we

with

and

and in

0.2

days,

LD

to

the

same

cases, age

in

in

the

serum

intact

concluded the

cycle

of

and 1) that

rat,

upon

vaginal

P