Some responses of the immature fowl to the withdrawal of a stressor

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Abstract
1. Light Sussex chicks were treated with corticotrophin (30 IU/kg) five times a week from hatching to 3 weeks of age. Their responses to the cessation of treatment were determined over the subsequent 2 weeks. 2. Growth rate was impaired by the treatment but had returned to normal after 7 d. 3. Adrenal mass was not affected by treatment but hypertrophy was evident after 14 d of recovery. Relative adrenal weight was greater in the treated group throughout the recovery period. 4. Adrenal cholesterol stores were depleted at the end of treatment, were repleted after 7 d but significantly depleted again at 14 d. 5. Plasma glucose concentration was not affected by treatment but birds were hyperglycaemic 7 and 14 d after treatment had ceased. 6. Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations were not affected at any time. 7. Plasma corticosterone concentration was not affected by the treatment but 7 d later it was greater in the treated birds. 8. Significant correlations between plasma glucose, FFA and corticosterone were found.