Adrenal blood flow in the albino rat

Abstract

The cardiac output fractionation technique employing Rb 86 or iodoantipyrine (I 131 ) has been applied to the study of adrenal blood flow in the rat. Either indicator is suitable for the measurement of adrenal blood flow: this is indicated by constancy of label uptake during the first 30 seconds after its administration in a single intravenous injection; when given together the same fraction of each indicator is taken up by the gland. The adrenal flow fraction is 0.14% of the cardiac output in 200–275-gm female rats, corresponding to a flow of 0.078 ml/min. or 1.9 ml/gm/min. The value is increased 114% by ACTH. Ligation of one common carotid artery increases the value 80%. Laparotomy and dissection around the adrenal gland produce irregular changes in adrenal blood flow. The significance of these findings for the ‘normal’ adrenal blood flow is discussed.