Effect of glucose on adrenocortical activity of newborn piglets

Adrenocortical function was followed in newborn piglets fasted for 36 hours and in piglets given only glucose or glucoplastic amino acids during this period. The greatest increase in relative adrenal weight, blood plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) levels and in the production of 17-OHCS by pig adrenals in vitro as compared with suckled controls was found in fasted piglets followed by amino acid-treated animals. The latter showed no significant differences in blood glucose between the initial and final values. The administration of glucose produced a transient hyperglycemia, failed to prevent the inhibition of body growth, resulted in a reduction in liver weight similar to that seen in fasted animals, and had a marked suppressive effect on the elevation of adrenocortical function. There were no significant differences in the production of 17-OHCS by adrenals in vitro per kg body weight between the glucose-treated and suckled piglets.