Secretion of adrenal zona glomerulosa cells in rats exposed to low doses of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane during prenatal and postnatal development

Objective - The study is focused on the secretion of adrenal zona glomerulosa cells in rats exposed to low doses of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) during prenatal and postnatal development. Material and Methods - Experiment was carried out on male Wistar rats exposed to low dose of DDT during prenatal and postnatal development. Aldosterone serum levels, zona glomerulosa histology and fine structure of glomerulosa cells were examined in pubertal and adult rats. Results - Rats exposed to low doses of DDT during prenatal and postnatal development showed lower aldosterone serum levels in puberty and restoration of aldosterone secretion after puberty. Histological examination revealed retardation of zona glomerulosa development and circulatory disorders in pubertal rats. Electron microscopy revealed typical signs of decreased steroidogenic activity of glomerulosa cells. After puberty DDT-exposed rats exhibited hyperplasia of zona glomerulosa and less pronounced changes in number and structure of mitochondria. Conclusion - Developmental exposure to low doses of DDT resulted in dysmorphogenesis of zona glomerulosa and, therefore, in impaired aldosterone secretion in puberty. Restoration of normal secretion of aldosterone after puberty was achieved by hyperplasia of zona glomerulosa.