Comparison of Four Indices of Adrenal Activity in Rats Acclimated to 30°, 15°, 1°C

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Abstract
Adrenal and thymus wts., adrenal ascorbic acid concns. and alkaline phosphatase activity in the liver, usually considered as indices of adrenal activity in sudden shock exposure, were compared in 2 strains of rats, Wistar-Sprague Dawley (W.S.D.) and Wistar, after a prolonged exposure to 30[degree], 15[degree] or 1[degree]C. In both strains, adrenal wt. increased with decrease in temp., but the thymus wt. and adrenal ascorbic acid concns. remained constant. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the liver was constant at the 3 temps. in W.S.D. rats but not in Wistar rats. The positive alkaline phosphatase response to cold of the latter strain, together with body wt. loss at the lowest temp., suggest unsuccessful acclimation to cold. These findings suggest that in spite of larger adrenals in the cold acclimated rats, the adrenal cortical activity may not be increased.in W.S.D. rats.

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