Responses of serum corticosterone and corticosteroid-binding globulin to acute and prolonged stress in the rat.

Responses of serum corticosterone (B) and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) to ether anesthesia (a "classic" acute stress) and to a number of stressors influencing metabolic homeostasis--fasting, physical exercise, cold exposure, and water deprivation--were studied in male and female rats. Metabolic stressors included placing in an ice bath, physical exercise (swimming), fasting for 2 d, swimming after fasting for 2 d, cold-room (4 degrees C) exposure for 2 d, fasting in combination with cold-room exposure for 1 d, and water deprivation for 2 d. The study demonstrated clear differences between males and females in basal B levels and B responses to some stressors. Only ether anesthesia and fasting resulted in similar B levels in males and females whereas in control and all other groups serum B levels were higher in females. Serum CBG was considerably higher in females. In females, ether, swimming, swimming after fasting, fasting, and fasting during cold exposure resulted in a decrease in circulating CBG. Ice bathing and cold exposure did not influence CBG, and water deprivation elevated serum CBG. In males, animals subjected to fasting and fasting during cold exposure had CBG levels lower than control animals. Other groups did not differ from the control. Higher CBG levels in females counterbalanced higher total B in setting circulating free B: significant sex differences in free B were observed only after swimming or fasting during cold exposure. Stress-responsive changes in CBG levels seem to contribute little to changes in free B; the main contributing factor is the rise in total B. However, CBG may play a special role, independent of the functions of corticosteroids. It is proposed that the need for substantial mobilization of spare fuel (as it takes place during physical exercise or fasting) is critical in involving CBG in the stress response.