Endocrine Abstracts

Our previous data showed that histological markers of the X-zone in mice adrenal (fetal zone in human adrenal) were still present in adult males and postpartum SF1/SOCS3 KO females. This change led to a distinct distribution of lipid droplets along the adrenal cortex and a blunted ACTH-induced corticosterone secretion in SF1/SOCS3 KO mice. Here we have examined the morphological and functional adrenals of SF1/SOCS3KO male mice adrenals at 3, 8 and 15 weeks through histochemical, immunohistochemical and molecular approaches. The hematoxylin-eosin stains showed retention of X-zone in SF1/SOCS3KO mice adrenals at all ages analyzed. Also, CYP17A1-positive cells were found in X-zone of SF1/SOCS3KO mice. The gene expression analysis by RT-PCR of fetal adrenal enhancer (FAdE) and Pik3c2g genes showed augment, whereas CYP11B1 gene expression was decreased in microdissected X-zone of SF1/Socs3 KO mice adrenals when compared to control male mice, both at 8 weeks age. Taken together, these results showed retention of X-zone in the SOCS3KO mice up to the age of 15 weeks and define the involvement of JAK/STAT/SOCS3 signaling pathway in the X-zone retention and therefore differentiation process of mice adrenal cortex. Supported by FAPESP, CNPq and CAPES.