Catecholamines in head and body blood of eels and rats

1. When compared with other vertebrates, the circulating titers of norepinephrine and epinephrine of the yellow eel are very low. 2. The ratio of the catecholamine titers in the eel differs from that reported for other vertebrates. 3. Following decapitation, the titers of the catecholamines are higher in head blood than in body blood of both unanesthetized and anesthetized eels. In decapitated rats, only the dopamine titer is higher in head blood. 4. As in the lamprey, agitation stress causes a drop of circulating catecholamines. However, other forms of stress cause the expected increase. 5. It appears that many data on catecholamines in both brain and circulation of vertebrates in general have been influenced by stress effects.