[Functional and structural changes in the adrenal cortex of rabbits under conditions of chronic inflammation of the prostate gland].

Investigation of the state of the rabbit adrenal cortex under conditions of depression of the incretory activity of the testicles resulting from chronic inflammation of the prostate showed progressive hyperplasia of the reticular zone of the adrenal cortex; as to the glomerular zone, it failed to display any marked pathological changes, and the fascicular zone demonstrated some signs of hypoplasia. Thus, the normal or elevated androgen excretion observed in the experimental male rabbits, was provided by an intensified activity of the reticular zone of the adrenal cortex, despite a decrease in testosterone biosynthesis in the testes.