The Adrenal Response of Hamsters, Gerbils, and Rats to Exogenous Adrenocorticotropin or Unilateral Adrenalectomy

摘要

A comparative study was carried out on three species of rodents in order to determine in each case whether or not adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) of either exogenous or endogenous origin depletes the cortical store of ascorbic acid and of cholesterol. Either unilateral or sham adrenalectomy caused a marked decrease in the ascorbic acid content of the remaining adrenal gland of the rat. An even greater decrease in this constituent was obtained 1 hour after the administration of 10 international units (IU) of ACTH. Rat adrenal cholesterol was somewhat less responsive to the above treatment. Unilateral or sham adrenalectomy had no significant effect on adrenal ascorbic acid or cholesterol in the hamster. Twenty IU of ACTH caused a 20% drop in hamster adrenal cholesterol; whereas, 10 IU did not. The response of the Mongolian gerbil to ACTH or adrenalectomy, either unilateral or sham, was approximately the same as that of the rat. (Author)