[Biosynthesis of corticosteroid hormones in the cortical areas of the rat adrenal during emotional stress combined with a salt load].

The experiments on male albino rats have shown that excessive salt uptake increases the functional sensitivity of the adrenal cortex to emotional stress (group fighting). Emotional stress in combination with a salt load induces a much greater increment in corticosterone and 18-oxy-11-deoxycorticosterone production by fascicular and glomerular adrenal zones through the activation of the pregnenolone pathway of hormonal biosynthesis. A relatively high aldosterone production was also retained. Thus, the total mineralocorticoid potential directed to sodium retention in the body is in these conditions inadequately increased.