Psychological Factors Lowering Plasma 17-Hydroxycorticosteroid Concentration

Abstract

While much recent evidence indicates that a variety of psychological stimulus conditions can elevate the circulating levels of hormones known to be responsive to stress, little work has been done exploring those conditions which might lower the levels of such hormones. Using 19 normal young adult male subjects viewing Disney nature-study films, it was discovered that the levels of plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) were lowered to a significant degree in comparison to: (1) a control period when no films were shown; and (2) a showing of emotionally arousing films. The clear difference in plasma 17-OHCS response to arousing and bland films (as measured by subject reports) suggests that the adrenal cortex responds to events of emotional significance within the range of mildly stressful, ordinary experience, and that the CNS regulation of adrenocortical function involves lowering as well as raising plasma 17-OHCS concentrations.