Changes in Spleen Weight, Cyclic-AMP Content, and Serum-Corticosterone Levels of Rats in Response to CO2

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Abstract
CO2 administration to rats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone caused contraction of the spleen and elevation of its cAMP content, but no rise in serum corticosterone. Studies with adrenoreceptor blockers showed that the contraction is caused by stimulation of α-receptors, whereas cAMP elevation is a β effect. The contraction was shown to be due to circulating catecholamines released from the adrenal glands, whereas cAMP elevation was due both to circulating and to locally released catecholamines in the spleen. Theophylline prevented the CO2-induced contraction. Dibutyryl cyclic GMP caused a fall in the cAMP content of the spleen but no contraction. The use of CO2 for the sacrifice of experimental animals is recommended where low levels of corticosteroids in blood are desirable.

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