Based upon the histologic findings in these six ferrets, there appears to be an association between proliferative adrenal lesions and cystic prostatitis in domestic ferrets. SF-1 mRNA expression did not vary significantly among adrenals. We did not detect the expected negative correlation between COUP-TFI and CYP17 mRNA levels in adrenocortical adenomas. High COUP-TFI expression was associatedwith a nonfunctioning phenotype. 6 AD - Department of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
Adrenocortical cells change with age in both subcellular morphology and level of steroidogenesis.
Patient age at diagnosis was compared to the degree of hypercortisolism and clinical manifestations. The degree of hypercortisolism was estimated using serum cortisol levels and urinary free cortisol excretion. Positive clinical manifestations were quantified using 12 symptoms and signs which resulted in a clinical score for each patient. Endogenous creatinine clearance, estimated disease duration and gender were analysed as possible factors affecting adenoma-secreated cortisol. Results suggested that aging both suppressed cortisol secretion and repressed manifestations directly as an independent factor, although its direct effect may be weak.