Are adrenal catecholamines involved in the enhancement of aldosterone production in cold acclimated rats?

In order to determine the possible role of adrenal catecholamines in the enhancement of aldosterone production in cold acclimated rats, dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) contents of adrenals were investigated in cold acclimated (or not), hypophysectomized (or not) rats. The DA content, DA being an inhibitor of aldosterone synthesis, increased in hypophysectomized rats and remained unchanged in sham-operated ones following cold exposure. The NA and A contents, these being, in vitro, stimulators of aldosterone production did not increase, in either group of cold acclimated rats. It is concluded that adrenal catecholamines do not seem to be implicated in the enhancement of aldosterone production.