Increased Aldosterone Secretion in Response to Blood Loss

Abstract

A marked increase in the adrenal secretion of the potent electrolyte-active steroid, aldosterone, was observed in the dog in response to loss of blood. The proportionate increase in adrenal output of alclostcrone exceeded that of hydrocortisone. The physiologic mechanism by which the increased aldosterone release is mediated remains obscure. The stimulus to increased aldosterone secretion was not a change in the serum electrolytes. Expansion of the volume of the vascular system by the infusion of large amounts of plasma substitutes failed to uniformly prevent the increased aldosterone output.