Cytochemical study of adrenal medulla of pigeons exposed to high altitude.

The concentration of adrenomedullary catechol hormones along with various types of mucopolysaccharides was studied in groups of control pigeons kept at sea level and in those exposed to high altitudes (1150,3490 and 4880 m, at 24, 8 and 2 degrees C respectively) of the Himalayan range. The exposed birds displayed an appreciable depletion of noradrenaline and periodate-reactive neutral mucopolysaccharides was noted, whereas the basophilia of the adrenomedullary tissue resulting from the presence of by weakly acidic muco-substances was slightly increased. The significance of these findings is discussed.