The metabolism of adrenocorticotrophic hormone and ascorbic acid in the chick

Abstract

The transient fall in adrenal ascorbic acid after the administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in the rat does not occur in the chick. A single injection of ACTH resulted in a depletion of adrenal cholesterol in chicks. In the chick ACTH can stimulate the production of adrenal hormones affecting carbohydrate metabolism although having no effect on adrenal ascorbic acid. The continued administration of ACTH to the chick also caused a retardation of growth, an enlargement of the adrenal and a decreased adrenal cholesterol concentration. Although the ascorbic acid was unaffected in the adrenal there was a fall in its concentration in the blood. No evidence was obtained that endogenous ACTH produced by pituitary stimulants could deplete adrenal ascorbic acid in the chick. Large doses of sodium salicylate caused the ascorbic acid to fall in rat and chicken adrenals and to rise in chicken plasma.