THE EFFECT OF CORTICOTROPIN ON THE FORMATION OF CORTICOSTEROIDS IN VITRO

Abstract

The effect of endogenous corticotropin on the formation of corticoids in vitro was evaluated under different experimental conditions.Corticotropin, added in vitro to the adrenals of rats exposed to a strange environment, only moderately increased corticoid production, whereas the same amounts of corticotropin markedly stimulated the steroid formation of adrenals of "non-stressed" and hypophysectomized rats. Thus, the presence of endogenous corticotropin apparently interfered with the activity of added hormone.The adrenal response to corticotropin after preincubation was more pronounced than that of non-preincubated glands. It appeared that the preincubation medium contained corticotropin-inactivating material which could be destroyed by heating. This suggests that the preincubation medium contains an enzyme that inactivates corticotropin. Presumably, this enzyme leaks into the medium from the cut surface of the adrenal gland.