THE INFLUENCE OF STIMULATING CAROTID BODY CHEMORECEPTORS ON LYMPHOCYTIC COUNT OF BLOOD AND ITS RELATION TO ADRENAL CORTEX

Lymphopenia was observed on rabbits due to carotid body stimulation with KCN (i.v. 0.5 mg/kg). One hour after injection, the count dropped 53.9％; 3 and 6 hours aftor injection, the drop became less, being 49％ and 38.1％ respectively, indicating recovery. This reaction was not observed after the elimination of the carotid body. In unilaterally adrenalectomized animals KCN injection caused a smaller degree of lymphoponia than in intact rabbits, and after bilateral adrenalectomy injection of KCN induced no lymphopenia at all. It was concluded that the lymphopenia after carotid body stimulation took place through the reflex enhancement of the adrenal cortical activity.