Reaction of the Adrenal Cortex to Emotional Stress

Abstract

Summary Adrenocortical reaction to emotional stress was determined in groups of subjects who were studied during life situations of emotional perturbation, as well as under conditions of experimentally contrived emotional disturbances. The level of the 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the peripheral blood and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids conjugated as glucuronides in the urine served as the measures of adrenocortical function. These emotional disturbances caused consistent but modest increases in the 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the blood and urine. Plasma steroid values remained within the normal physiological range under the influence of emotional upset. These changes were less than those observed following the intravenous administration of ACTH, Piromen, insulin, or electroshock treatment and moderate exercise.