OBSERVATIONS UPON ADRENALECTOMIZED CATS TREATED WITH THE CORTICAL HORMONE

Abstract

A condition simulating chronic adrenal insufficiency has been produced by the daily injection of extracts of the adrenal cortex into completely adrenalectomized cats. In general, the symptoms are those of acute insufficiency except that they tend to develop more gradually. In a majority of the animals treated with extract, the metabolism remained within normal limits for a period ranging from 7 to 29 days after the removal of the second adrenal. The animal never gained weight and usually lost long before the onset of terminal symptoms. These animals were less resistant to cold and infections. They fatigued more readily than did normals. Overeating caused the blood urea to rise and brought on symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. In a few instances the skin changed from pink to dirty grey in color. A chocolate-brown subcutaneous fat was found in a cat that survived 300 days. Thyroidec-tomy and gonadectomy apparently did not modify the survival period of treated adrenalectomized cats.