Abstract
Summary
Spinal cord section results in early adrenal ascorbic acid depletion. Recovery of normal levels occurs after 48 hours and is maintained for at least one week. Cord-sectioned rats (2- or 7-day), exhibiting normal initial adrenal ascorbic acid levels, respond to injected ACTH with ascorbic acid depletion similar to that observed in 24-hour hypophysectomized rats. Adrenal ascorbic acid depletion response was employed as an index of blood ACTH levels. Intact rats respond to electric current flow through either forepaws or hindpaws with equivalent ACTH release. Cord-sectioned rats respond to forepaw stimulation with ACTH release, but do not respond to hindpaw stimulation. Sham stimulation of intact or cord-sectioned rats does not release ACTH.
Marion D. Lipscomb rendered valuable technical assistance.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.