SOME EFFECTS OF SOUND STIMULI ON THE PITUITARY-ADRENOCORTICAL SYSTEM

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Abstract
After being subjected to a short period of sound stimulus (2 min. of bell-ringing) the circulating eosinophil count of rats rises, the total white blood cell count remains unchanged and the lymphocyte count and adrenal ascorbic acid levels fall. The latter, as well as the eosino-penia and lymphopenia induced with epinephrine demonstrated the capacity for activation of the pituitary-adrenocortical system in these animals. Our findings showed no difference between the groups reacting and not reacting to the sound stimulus by motor seizure. It is assumed that the sound stimulus evokes in part the usual change in the pituitary-adrenocortical system (characteristic of systemic stress) but in part inhibits (1) the well known eosinopenic effect and (2) the decrease which should be brought about in any test apart from the effect of the sound stimulus by the conditions accompanying activity and seizures.