Comparison of Cortisol Production by Isolated Adrenal Cells from Syrian Hamsters and Guinea-Pigs at Different Incubation Temperatures

Abstract

During acute cold exposure the Cortisol production of guinea-pigs and Syrian hamsters is increased, as indicated by elevated plasma Cortisol concentrations (1,2). The augmented formation of corticosteroids obviously favours the resistance to cold. In this respect an intensifying effect of corticosteroids on the calorigenic action of catecholamines has been suggested (2). In the guineapig, a non-hibernator, corticosteroidogenesis naturally occurs at a body temperature (T_b) above 36°C. In the Syrian hamster, however, a T_b far below 30°C is not unusual during hibernation. Thus the question arises if there are interspecies differences in corticosteroidogenesis at low body temperatures between the hibernator and the nonhibernator. In order to answer this question cells from adrenals of both species were isolated and stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). In addition, the effect of cold acclimation on steroidogenesis of adrenal cells was investigated.