The reflex release of adrenaline and noradrenaline from the adrenal glands of cats and dogs.

We have studied the release of noradrenaline and adrenaline from the adrenal glands of dogs and cats in response to the lowering of carotid sinus pressure (baroreceptor tests) and to the perfusion of the vascularly isolated carotid bifurcations with hypoxic blood (chemoreceptor tests). 2. In cats, the resting output of catecholamines had a ratio of noradrenaline to adrenaline of 1:1. The ratio in the incremental release during baroreceptor tests rose to 3:1, and during chemoreceptor tests it fell to 1:6. 3. In dogs, the ratio of noradrenaline to adrenaline at rest was 1:4. The ratio did not change over a wide range of outputs during baroreceptor tests, chemoreceptor tests and splanchnic nerve stimulation. 4. The release of catecholamines in response to baroreceptor tests in the cat was abolished by hexamethomium bromide at doses that did not diminish the response to chemoreceptor tests.