Abstract
Summary
From comparative study of changes in adrenal ascorbic acid and in adrenal and plasma corticosterone concentration induced by unilateral adrenalectomy in the rat, adrenal ascorbic acid depletion appears more closely related in time to release than to synthesis of corticosterone, since maximal depletion did not correspond to peak of corticosterone concentration in the gland (30 minutes postoperatively), but was achieved at the same time (60-120 minutes p.o.) as its peak concentration in plasma, when rate of release of the hormone presumably reached equilibrium with its rate of removal or inactivation. In view of reported instances of dissociation between the 2 phenomena, the observed temporal relationship should be interpreted with caution.
The authors are indebted to Miss R. C. Wood for able technical assistance.
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