Production of steroids by in vitro superfusion from adrenals of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): effect of acute stress.
1. The output of steroids by in vitro superfusion from adrenals of normal gerbils was studied; the glands secreted the following amounts of steroids (ng/animal/hr): 272 (glucocorticosteroids), 60 (aldosterone), 5.0 (progesterone), 1.0 (androstenedione) and 1.0 (testosterone). 2. Glucocorticosteroid and progesterone output from superfused glands of animals stressed by exposure to a novel environment (a) on concentrated ether vapor (b) was significantly higher than that of control animals (glucocorticosteroids: a: 3-9 min, b: 3-30 min after start of superfusion; progesterone: a, b: 3 min after start of superfusion). 3. Aldosterone output was not affected by the stressors applied. 4. Glucocorticosteroid plasma levels of 204 ng/ml were found in control animals. Exposure to a novel environment or concentrated ether vapor resulted in significantly elevated glucocorticosteroid concentrations (511 ng/ml and 760 ng/ml, respectively). 5. Neither testosterone nor progesterone plasma levels were changed by these stressors.
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D005849:Gerbillinae / Q000378:metabolism*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000378:metabolism*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013256:Steroids; D000450:Aldosterone; D011374:Progesterone