The Adrenal Cortex and Carbohydrate Metabolism

DIRECT PARTICIPATION of the adrenal cortex in the hormonal control of carbohydrate metabolism has been the subject of vigorous debate for a number of years. The interest in this problem has centered not only on the interpretation of the alterations in carbohydrate metabolism that occur in adrenalectomiz;ed animals, but also on their relation to the function of the adrenal cortex. This problem would appear to be capable of a simple solution were it not for the fact that other changes follow adrenalectomy that at first sight appear to be of greater significance than the disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism that have been reported. There is now no doubt that many adrenalectomized animals suffer such widespread disturbances intheir water and electrolyte balance that their ultimate death can hardly fail to be associated with them.