THE EFFECT OF THE ADRENAL CORTICAL HORMONE UPON THE RESPIRATORY METABOLISM OF THE CAT

Abstract

[long dash]In 6 cats bilateral adrenalectomy was followed by a maximum fall of about 50% in respiratory metabolism (RM) ; administration of adrenal cortical hormone caused a return to normal in 24-48 hrs. Administration of this hormone increased RM by 15-30% in 4 of 5 totally thy-roidectomized cats. Even in large amounts, it did not affect the RM of 4 normal cats and 3 normal rabbits. The adrenal cortical hormone appears to exert an influence, either direct or indirect, independently of the thyroid gland, upon the mechanism of RM.