THE EFFECT OF CORTIN AND THE Na FACTOR ON ADRENALECTOMIZED ANIMALS1

Abstract

Adrenalectomized cats were maintained in good condition by cortin alone for more than 4 mos. The plasma Na was maintained at the low level characteristic of adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficient cats could be returned to normal appetite and behavior by means of cortin alone. Adrenalectomized cats could be kept alive for considerable periods on Na factor alone. Although they rarely lost wt. they were not normal in their reactions. Adrenalectomized cats treated with desoxycorticosterone acetate appeared similar to those treated with Na factor. The plasma Na level in adrenalectomized cats was detd. by the amt. of Na factor injected. When no cortin was present more Na factor was required to give the same response. A rise in plasma K was probably not due to lack of a specific factor but rather to insufficiency resulting from inadequacy of both factors. Absence of one factor had little effect if the other factor was adequate. Blood urea in the treated adrenalectomized cats was somewhat higher than normal. Those treated with Na factor alone were usually higher than those treated with cortin alone. Nothing remarkable was observed in the blood sugar under treatment with different adrenal factors. This was also true in the erythrocyte vol. %. Similar results were obtained in adrenalectomized dogs. The Na factor controls plasma Na but has no direct effect on plasma K, blood urea or blood sugar. Cortin had no effect on Na metabolism beyond rendering the Na factor more effective. Cortin maintained adrenalectomized animals in good condition at low plasma Na levels without the Na factor.