[Content of trace elements and steroid hormones in blood and tissues of internal organs in experimental pulmonary fibrosis induced by intratracheal administration of bleomycetin]. / Soderzhanie mikroélementov i steroidnykh gormonov v krovi i tkaniakh vnutrennikh organov pri ékperimental'nom fibroze legkikh, vyzvannom vnutritrakheal'nym vvedeniem bleomitsetina.

Pulmonary fibrosis was produced in rats by intratracheal administration of bleomycetin. The development of the fibrous process in the lungs was attended by marked reduction of the zinc content in the tissues of the viscera, plasma, and formed elements of the blood, as well as of corticosterone and testosterone in blood plasma. Respiratory insufficiency is a probable cause of the developing zinc-deficiency which leads to disturbed synthesis of steroid hormones. Injection of exogenous testosterone normalizes partly the level of steroid hormones in the blood, improves the general condition of the animals, and facilitates an increase of body weight.