DISCHARGE OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE FROM TRANSPLANTED PITUITARY TISSUE

Abstract

Intraocular and intrasplenic grafts of adenohypophyseal tissue in hypophysectomized rats promptly discharge adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in response to histamine stress. The amt. of ACTH released is less than that released by the adenohypophyses of intact control rats given the same dose of histamine; this difference is most likely accounted for by the small quantity of surviving pituitary tissue in the transplants. Other possible explanations are presented. The results have been interpreted to mean that neural or vascular connections between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary are not essential for the immediate discharge of ACTH in acute stress.