ALTERATIONS IN THE RAT ADRENAL CORTEX INDUCED BY SODIUM DEFICIENCY: STEROID HORMONE SECRETION1

Abstract

RECENT investigation has shown that restriction of sodium intake results in altered hormone secretion by the adrenal cortex. Luetscher and Axelrad. (1) demonstrated in normal men that following sodium deprivation the urinary excretion of aldosterone was increased but that there were no significant changes in the excretion of other adrenal hormones. These experiments were of short duration and studies of the effects of prolonged sodium restriction on adrenocortical hormone secretion have not been reported. The purpose of the investigation described herein was to evaluate the effect of severe, chronic sodium deficiency on the secretion of steroid hormones by the rat adrenal cortex. It has been demonstrated that prolonged sodium depletion results in increased production of aldosterone but that the secretion of other adrenocortical hormones is greatly diminished. Histologic studies were also conducted and are presented in the accompanying publication (2).