Adrenalectomy of the Calf and Its Effects on Various Blood Constituents

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Abstract
Four calves, adrenalectomized without suturing the vena cava by utilizing a special forceps, were maintained with the intramuscular injection of 25 mg. cortisone acetate or 5 mg. prednisone plus 5 mg. desoxycorti-costerone acetate per 100 1b. body weight daily of every other day. The calves survived, apparently normally, without steroid therapy when allowed free choice consumption of salt. The calves survived six to seven days after all treatment was withdrawn. Adrenal deficiency resulted in lethargy, weakness, anorexia, and a final depression and arrhythmia of heart beat shortly before death. In three adrenal deficient calves there was a decrease in the serum Na:K ratio, a decrease in serum chlorides, and an increase in serum potassium, all of which were highly significant (P < 0.01). In two of the three animals there was a reduction in serum sodium, total neutrophils, and mature neutrophils, and an increase in RBC and eosinophils. The influence of adrenalectomy on serum calcium, blood hemoglobin, hematocrit, and neutrophil levels varied considerably between calves. No significant differences were found in WBC, lymphocyte, and monocyte levels following adrenalectomy.