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Temperature effects on ACTH-stimulated adrenocortical secretion and carbohydrate metabolism in the lizard (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)

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Desert iguanas (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) were maintained at 10, 20, 30 or 40°C for one week. Animals were autopsied at zero time, and 30 and 90 minutes after a single injection of ACTH. Basal plasma corticosterone (B) level was similar in all lizards regardless of environmental temperature. Both blood glucose and liver glycogen levels showed highly significant correlations with environmental temperature. Injection of ACTH increased plasma B level in all temperature groups but the rate and magnitude of the response were temperature dependent. Liver glycogen was increased after ACTH injection at 20°C and plasma glucose response to ACTH was significantly correlated with temperature.

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Callard, G.V., Chan, S.W.C. & Callard, I.P. Temperature effects on ACTH-stimulated adrenocortical secretion and carbohydrate metabolism in the lizard (Dipsosaurus dorsalis). J Comp Physiol B 99, 271–277 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00710367

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