Influence of Adrenalectomy and Gonadectomy on Capacity of Rats to Excrete an Acid Load. ∗

Summary

Excretion of ammonia and of titrable acid after an acid load has been measured in intact male and female rats and in male and female rats after adrenalectomy and after adrenalectomy plus gonadectomy. After adrenalectomy, female rats excreted significantly more ammonia and more titrable acid than did males. When both the adrenals and the gonads were removed, the females excreted more ammonia than did the males, but there was no significant difference in the excretion of titrable acid between the males and the females. The adrenalectomized-gonadectomized rats were treated with either progesterone or testosterone and the capacity to handle an acid load measured. The excretion of both ammonia and titrable acid was approximately the same for both males and females after therapy with either hormone.