EFFECTS OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY AND ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE ON NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION AND ACETYLCHOLINE SYNTHESIS

Abstract

Hypophysectomy induced a dysfunction of nerve manifested in decreased ability of the nerve to maintain the amplitude of action potential during repetitive stimulation. The decrease averaged 58% at the end of a 30-sec. stimulation period with a stimulus of supramax. intensity and a frequency of 30 pulses per sec. The ability of brain to synthesize acetylcholine decreased 44% as a result of hypophysectomy. Admn. of ACTH to hypophysectomized animals induced a return to normal of both the ability of brain to synthesize acetylcholine and the ability to maintain the amplitude of action potential during repetitive stimulation.