THE ADMINISTRATION OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE TO NORMAL HUMAN SUBJECTS. THE EFFECT OF THE LEUCOCYTES IN THE BLOOD AND ON CIRCULATING ANTIBODY LEVELS

Abstract

Circulating antibody levels in normal human subjects were not increased following the admn. of large quantities (40-400 mg.) of adrenocorticotrophic hormone. The findings of other workers regarding blood eosinophil and lymphocyte counts have, however, been confirmed. Both types of cells showed diminished counts, the fall in eosinophils being more marked and of longer duration the larger the amt. of hormone injd. There was a rapid fall in the packed cell volume following the higher doses of corticotrophin which was maintained for many hrs. after the ceil counts returned to normal. The increase in plasma volume was not accompanied by a lowered concn. of serum proteins.