Adrenocortical function in hypo- and hyperthyroidism.

Abstract

Summary1. As a means of assessing adrenocortical function, the eosinopenic and adrenal ascorbic acid depletion responses of normal and thyroidectomized male rats, with and without thyroxine treatment, have been examined. 2. With nembutal sedation, the eosinopenic response to ACTH was the same in thyroidectomized as in normal rats and was not influenced by treatment with thyroxine in either group. 3. Under these conditions the eosinopenic response to epinephrine was less in thyroidectomized than in normal rats and was distinctly improved after thyroxine therapy. The response of normal rats to epinephrine was not modified by the administration of thyroxine in doses leading to hyperthyroidism. 4. In the second test used, adrenal ascorbic acid depletion in response to ACTH; the thyroidectomized rats showed a greater and more uniform depletion than did normal rats, with the same dose of ACTH. Hyperthyroid rats responded like the normals.