FLUID, ELECTROLYTE, GASTROINTESTINAL, AND HAIR CHANGES IN ADRENALECTOMIZED-SYMPATHECTOMIZED DOGS

Abstract

Five male dogs were adrenalectomized and sympathectomized and maintained by adrenocortical extract for periods of weeks to months. Their general behavior did not differ from those subject to adrenalectomy alone, but in three it was observed that the hair grew long and curly. In the other two a lesser change may have been missed. Following withdrawal of the hormone, death occurred rather suddenly in three, and adrenal insufficiency developed sooner in the other two than in dogs only adrenalectomized. Pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract were qualitatively the same following death after hormone withdrawal in the adrenalectomized–sympathectomized animals and in dogs only adrenalectomized. Blood changes appeared to be no different in the two groups. The urinary changes with respect to water and electrolytes differed in that the sympathectomized group appeared to take in less water and excrete less urine, but to put out more sodium and chloride, in the few days following withdrawal of hormone. These findings are discussed in particular with respect to the relationship of adrenergic function of the sympathetic nervous system and hormones of the adrenal cortex.