Adrenal Cholesterol, Liver Glycogen and Water Consumption of Fasting and X-Irradiated Rats

Abstract

Expts. on hypophysecto-mized, fasted and X-irradiated rats demonstrated that both fasting and X-irradiation stimulate the pituitary adrenal system. Of the 3 responses observed, the increase in water intake and prompt fall in total adrenal cholesterol are due primarily to pituitary stimulation resulting from whole body irradiation. The level of liver glycogen falls rapidly after X-irradiation because of consequent anorexia. The secondary rise in liver glycogen is a consequence of stimulation of the pituitary by both whole body X-irradiation and the partial state of fast which results. Two days of fasting give a response about equal to 500 r whole body irradiation as detd. by liver glycogen response.