THE EFFECTS OF THE SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL HORMONE OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX ON MELANIN DEPOSITION IN ADRENALECTOMIZED BLACK RATS FED DIETS ADEQUATE AND DEFICIENT IN THE FILTRATE FACTORS OF VITAMIN B¹

Abstract

IN A PREVIOUS STUDY (Ralli and Graef, 1943) we reported the stimulating effect of adrenalectomy on hair growth and melanin deposition in black rats that were maintained on diets either deficient in the filtrate factors of vitamin B, or diets supplemented with a rice bran extract. The effect of adrenalectomy was particularly striking in the rats receiving the deficient diet because of the fact that filtrate factor deficiency is associated with graying of the fur which is due to a depression of melanin deposition and an associated atrophy of the hair follicles and bulbs. Following adrenalectomy the effects of the deficient diet were reversed. In the present study, the role of the adrenal cortex in the reaction was further investigated by administering to the rats, following adrenalectomy, either desoxycorticosterone acetate or the naturally occurring adrenal cortical hormone.