Changes in pituitary-adrenal function under continuous exposure to hypoxia in male rats

The plasma corticosterone concentration and incorporation of 14C-1-acetate into adrenocortical hormones were measured in male rats exposed to hypoxia (12.5% O2 in N2 balance) for periods of 30 min--14 days. Hypoxia significantly increased the weight of the adrenal and pituitary glands in early stages of exposure. However, weight returned to the control level on the 14th day of exposure. Hypoxia consistently decreased the weight of the thymus. Hypoxia elevated the plasma corticosterone concentration in the early stages of exposure. However, the elevated corticosterone level gradually decreased by the 7th day. The corticosterone level at this stage was lower than in the control. The corticosterone concentration returned to the control level on the 14th day. Hypoxia significantly facilitated incorporation of 14C-1-acetate into corticosterone and cortisol in the adrenal homogenate. The elevated incorporation was maintained until the 7th day and gradually decreased to the control level there after. Body weight was decreased by hypoxia (12 gram in 24 hours). On the 5th day, the weight returned to the control level. Hematocrit increased gradually during 14 days of hypoxia exposure. These results suggest that pituitary-adrenal function is greatly facilitated by 1-6 hours of hypoxia exposure, and hypoxia acclimatization is accomplished humorally within 14 days of exposure in rats.