Abstract
In dogs anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital, metabolic acidosis was induced by acid infusion. Fluorimetric analysis of adrenal venous plasma for adrenaline and noradrenaline, and anaerobic estimations of arterial blood pH and plasma CO, volume were done in these animals. The adrenal medullary secretion rate increased progressively in parallel with the development of metabolic acidosis. A statistically significant increase in adrenal medullary secretion was observed at a pH level of 7.00-7.20. Interruption of the splanchnic nerves abolished an increase in adrenal medullary secretion at a blood pH level above 6.80, but did not at a pH level below 6.70. At the pH level below 6.60 the secretion rates of the denervated gland did not differ significantly from those of the innervated one.
