Adrenal cortical response to chronic hypoxia

Abstract

Although acute oxygen lack causes increased adrenal cortical activity, there is evidence that continued exposure to hypoxia is accompanied by a return of adrenal cortical function to its sea level status. To evaluate the adrenal cortical response in men living for 14-21 days above 21,000 ft, urinary output of 17-hydroxycorticoids was measured in ten members of a Himalayan mountaineering expedition and compared to values obtained subsequently at sea level. No significant difference in 17-hydroxycorticoid output was observed between the two altitudes. The response of four subjects to the administration of Su-4885 (Methopyrapone) showed that the pituitary-adrenal cortical system was still capable of response to additional stimulation. Submitted on July 31, 1961