Abstract
In a study of the relationship of ascorbic acid metabolism to pituitaryadrenal function in the rat, the effect of stress, adrenalectomy, hypophysectomy, and administration of an adrenal cortical extract on the plasma ascorbic acid concentration was determined. Surgical trauma and cold elicited a triphasic, and scalding a biphasic, response in both intact and adrenalectomized animals. The plasma ascorbic acid concentration decreased after adrenalectomy and hypophysectomy but returned to normal or above normal level following the administration of an adrenal cortical extract. It is suggested that the pituitary–adrenal system plays a facilitating role in the increased synthesis of ascorbic acid elicited by stress.
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