Mitomycin C induced inhibition of adrenal steroidogenesis in female rats.

Mitomycin C (MC), an antibiotic which depresses DNA synthesis causes suppression of enzyme delta 5 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta 5 3 beta OHD) and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6 PD) in the rat adrenal tissue. The treatment resulted in a fall in DNA content together with an accumulation of cholesterol and ascorbic acid in the gland. The results suggest a diminution in adrenal steroid biogenesis similar to gonadal inhibition previously reported.