Abstract
We have reported 1 the effect of bilateral adrenalectomy upon the respiratory exchange of cats, together with the changes in metabolism produced by the administration of the adrenal cortical hormone to these animals. The present study is a continuation of that work. The adrenal cortical hormone 2 and the method of measuring the respiratory exchange 3 are the same as were used previously.
The cortical hormone was injected subcutaneously in quantities of from 6 to 15 cc. daily into normal cats for periods varying from 2 to 10 days. Measurements of the respiratory exchange were made 18 hours after the injections. In a series of 12 such experiments, no appreciable constant variation from normal occurred. Further, the general health of the animals did not appear to be affected. Similar experiments were carried out in 3 normal rabbits with essentially the same result.
The normal level of respiratory metabolism was determined in a series of 5 cats. Total thyroidectomies were then performed. The metabolism gradually fell to a level varying between 20 and 25% below normal. The animals gained in weight and showed general symptoms of thyroid insufficiency. At this point, the cortical hormone was injected subcutaneously in quantities varying from 10 to 50 cc. over a time period of from 1 to 3 days. Within 24 hours after the injection, there was an increase in respiratory metabolism of from 15 to 30%. This change occurred in 80% of the experiments and continued for from 24 to 48 hours after the administration of hormone was discontinued.
It was considered advisable to determine whether or not the thyroid gland was a factor in bringing about the elevation of metabolism which occurred when the adrenal cortical hormone was injected into bilaterally adrenalectomized cats.
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