[Changes in adrenocortical activity in grown rats following thymectomy].

The authors measured arterial blood pressure by direct and indirect method in 80 adult rats and examined: content of ascorbic acid and cholesterol and the activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase in adrenals after thymectomy. The indices were followed in dynamics on the 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90th day after thymectomy. The established changes, manifested by a reduced concentration of the ascorbic acid and cholesterol in the early period of the experiment and the increased phosphatase activity during the whole period were interpreted as a manifestation of elevated adrenal activity after thymectomy. Activation of the adrenal cortex preceded the hypertensive reaction.