MECHANISM OF HYPOPHYSIAL RESPONSE TO PSYCHIC STRESS

Abstract

In neurohypophysectomized rats the effects of unilateral adrenalectomy under ether anaesthesia on the adrenal ascorbic acid depletion is equal to that in normal rats. In contrast, the effect of exposure to cold is partly inhibited, whereas the effect of emotional disturbances is completely abolished in rats, in which the posterior lobe of the hypophysis had been removed. The adrenal ascorbic acid depletion following intramuscular infusion of a minute amount of adrenaline into intact rats is also entirely inhibited in neurohypophysectomized animals. The interpretation is presented that psychic stress stimuli act on the corticotrophln present in the posterior lobe of the hypophysis by the mediation of endogenous adrenaline, whereas in the case of somatic stress neither the posterior lobe nor adrenaline is involved.