THE EFFECT OF ADRENALECTOMY ON THE CIRCULATING LEVEL OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE IN THE RAT

Abstract

SUMMARY The concentration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone in the blood of rats was estimated at various time intervals after the removal of the adrenal glands. The hormone was not detectable until 10 days after the operation. Its concentration rose to a maximum value 3 weeks after adrenalectomy and this high circulating level was maintained for at least another 2 weeks. There were no significant differences between the results obtained using hypophysectomized and hydrocortisone-treated rats for the bioassay procedures.