THE ADRENALS AND HYPOPHYSIS IN THE CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM OF THE EVISCERATED RAT

Abstract

Treatment of adrenal-demedullated eviscerated rats with ant. pituitary extract reduced the amt. of glucose required for maintenance of the blood sugar level by about 40%. The high glucose requirements of hypophysectomized adrenal-demedullated eviscerated rats were reduced approx. to normal by anterior pituitary extract and also by whole adrenal cortical extract, but not by desoxycorticosterone acetate. The glucose requirements of adrenalectomized eviscerated rats previously sustained with salt were elevated, but those of adrenalectomized rats carrying desoxycorticosterone acetate pellets were normal. The increased peripheral utilization of carbohydrate by hypophysectomized rats is probably not to any great extent the result of diminished adrenal function; the pituitary and adrenal hormones may affect carbohydrate metabolism by different means.