Effect of Neonatal Treatment with Monosodium Glutamate on the Secretion of α-MSH, β-Endorphin and ACTH in the Rat

Abstract

Plasma α-MSH, β-endorphin and ACTH were measured at 60 days of age in rats which had been injected during the neonatal period with monosodium glutamate (MSG). Although the arcuate nucleus tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic and cholinergic system was lesioned by the MSG, no change in circulating α-MSH, ACTH and corticosterone levels was observed under basal conditions, after ether stress of adrenalectomy. In contrast, a moderate, but significant decrease in plasma β-endorphin was noticed after MSG treatment.