Immunological Studies in Relation to the Supra- Renal Gland. Ii. Hemolysin Formation in Suprarenalectomized

There is a great deal of evidence both from morphological and physiological studies that the suprarenal gland plays a significant r61e in the defensive mechanism of the body against intoxication. During the past 7 years numerous observers have established that the resistance of suprarenalectomized rats and rabbits to trauma and to injections of various poisons and toxins is markedly diminished, particularly during the first weeks following the operation. However, only a few studies on the antibody capacity of animals following bilateral suprarenalectomy have been reported. The literature bearing on the relation of the suprarenal gland to the formation of antibodies has been reviewed by Tak6 and Marine (1). Experiments dealing with the antibody capacity of animals following bilateral suprarenalectomy have been limited because of technical difficulties. The most suitable laboratory animals are the rabbit and the rat since a high percentage of these animals survive bilateral suprarenalectomy. Tak6 and Marine found that bilaterally suprarenalectomized rabbits show hemolysin titers distinctly higher than the control animals. Jaffe and Marine (2) observed that rats repeatedly injected with typhoid vaccine 3 weeks following bilateral suprarenalectomy developed agglutinin titers slightly higher than normal control rats. The evidence presented in the literature, however, is of such a contradictory nature that further studies in this field seemed desirable. The rat was chosen as the experimental animal as over 85 per cent of rats survive bilateral suprarenalectomy in good condition and these present a state of suprarenal insufficiency for a considerable period of 723