Effects of Pantothenic Acid Deficiency on Pituitary-Adrenal Function in the Rat

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Abstract
Tests were conducted to determine the effects of pantothenic acid deficiency on the pituitary-adrenal system of the rat. Pituitary-adrenal activation following epinephrine and ACTH administration was measured by the following indices of adrenocortical activation: (1) reduction in the peripheral lymphocyte count; (2) adrenal ascorbic acid depletion; and (3) reduction in adrenal cholesterol concentration. Findings for pantothenic acid-depleted rats were contrasted to those observed for rats fed a complete ration, either ad libitum or in an amount equal to that ingested daily by rats on the pantothenate-free ration. In addition to the above indirect measurements of adrenocortical activation, tests were conducted on the capacity of pantothenic acid-depleted rats to survive following egg white intoxication (the latter has been employed as a functional test for the presence of cortisone-like hormones in the rat). No significant impairment in pituitary-adrenal function was observed in pantothenic acid-depleted rats, as judged by the above indices.