EFFECT OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY ON ADRENAL 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROID SECRETION IN RESPONSE TO ESERINE IN DOGS

Dogs, anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital, were used. Adrenal venous blood was collected and analyzed for 17-hydroxyeorticosteroids (17-OHCS). In intact (non-hypophysectomized) dogs the adrenal 17-OHCS secretion rates increased after injection of eserine (0.2 mg/kg) and reached 0.75-1.41 μg/kg/min, while they were 0-0.19 μg/kg/min before injection. In hypophysectomized dogs an injection of the same dose of eserine did not induce any definite change in adrenal 17-OHCS secretion. Thus, it is concluded that the stimulatory effect of eserine on the adrenal cortical secretion is mediated through pituitary adrenocorticotrophin release. © 1968, Tohoku University Medical Press. All rights reserved.