CORTICOSTEROID SECRETION IN THE ADRENAL VEIN OF THE NON-STRESSED DOG EXPOSED TO COLD

Abstract

THE sensitivity of the adrenalectomized animal to exposure to cold has been well documented (Hartman and Brownell, 1949), and has also been used as an assay for cortical hormones (Selye and Schenker 1938). Indirect measurements of adrenocortical function, such as adrenal size (Hartman, Brownell, and Crosby, 1931) and fall in ascorbic acid and cholesterol content of the adrenal gland (Long, 1947) have indicated adrenocortical stimulation on exposure to cold. The development of procedures for measuring cortical steroids in blood (Nelson and Samuels, 1952) and for obtaining adrenal venous blood samples from the non-stressed dog (Hume and Nelson, 1954) have made possible the present study of adrenocortical steroid secretion in the adrenal venous blood of the non-stressed dog exposed to cold. Corticosteroid secretion has been determined in the dog while surgically stressed, during convalescence, while exposed to -10° C, and when given ACTH while at room temperature or during exposure to the cold environment.