Autonomic control of adrenal function.
Recent studies of adrenal function in conscious calves are reviewed. These have involved collecting the whole of the adrenal effluent blood from the right adrenal gland at intervals and, where necessary, prior functional hypophysectomy by destruction of the pituitary stalk under general halothane anaesthesia 3 d previously. The adrenal medulla was found to release numerous neuropeptides, in addition to catecholamines, in response to stimulation of the peripheral end of the right splanchnic nerve, which was carried out below behavioural threshold. Many of these responses were enhanced by stimulating intermittently at a relatively high frequency. Intra-aortic infusions of a relatively low dose of acetylcholine (4.5 nmol min-1 kg-1) elicited similar responses. In the adrenal cortex, agonists which either potentiated the steroidogenic response to ACTH or exerted a direct steroidogenic action included VIP, CGRP, CRF and ACh acting via muscarinic receptors. Stimulation of the peripheral end of the right splanchnic nerve strongly potentiated the steroidogenic response to ACTH and there is compelling evidence that the innervation normally plays an important part in cortisol secretion.
Edwards
A V
AV
Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK.
Jones
C T
CT
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D001775:Blood Circulation; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002838:Chromaffin System / Q000378:metabolism; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000378:metabolism; D013153:Splanchnic Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D002395:Catecholamines; D004745:Enkephalins; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D000109:Acetylcholine