THE EFFECT OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY AND CORTICOTROPHIN ON THE RENAL SENSITIVITY TO ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE

Abstract

SUMMARY Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF) and solute-free water reabsorption (TcH2O) were measured in anaesthetized intact and hypophysectomized rats and in hypophysectomized rats treated with corticotrophin (ACTH). GFR and RPF were measured by [14C]inulin and [3H]p-aminohippuric acid clearances. In agreement with previous reports, these two functions were found to be reduced by hypophysectomy. Infusion of vasopressin increased TcH2O in the intact rat but failed to produce a significant change in the hypophysectomized rat. Treatment of hypophysectomized rats with ACTH restored the effects of vasopressin on TcH2O. ACTH also increased the RPF of hypophysectomized rats to normal values, but only partially restored GFR.