The eighth of a series of "Ciba Foundation Colloquia on Endocrinology," this volume is a verbatim report of the proceedings of two series of meetings devoted to a discussion of the adrenal cortex. As usual in these Ciba colloquia, specific advances in knowledge are formally presented by experts who are actively engaged in investigative work in the field. Following each talk there is an informal group discussion.
In the first series of meetings, attention is focused principally upon histological and biochemical aspects. Methodology is presented. Changes during stress are described. Aldosterone is particularly well reviewed.
The second series of meetings is concerned with adrenal physiology, pathology, and relationship with the pituitary. The evaluation of adrenocortical function is reviewed, the sodium: potassium concentration ratio in the saliva as an indication of adrenocortical function being one of the more unique methods. Very interesting experiments are described wherein the pituitary portal veins are