Catecholamine and cyclic nucleotide response of sheep to the injection of Clostridium welchii type D epsilon toxin

Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, PO Box 12850, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa Received March 7, 1979 Accepted May 3, 1979 Injection of Clostridium welchii ( C. perfringens ) type D epsilon toxin into sheep caused large increases in catecholamine and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels and moderate increases in cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels. Haemoconcentration also occurred. It is suggested that a rapidly developing brain oedema is the stimulus for a release of catecholamines which in turn activates adenyl cyclase. The resulting rise in cAMP causes glycogenolysis and hyperglycaemia.