In VitroStudies on the Effect of ACTH in Rat and Bovine Adrenal Glands

Abstract

Bovine adrenal glands were sliced in such a way that first level slices contained about 75 % glomerulosa cells and third level slices about 90% fasciculata cells. ACTH stimulated phosphorylase 135% in third level slices (90% fasciculata cells) of bovine adrenal glands but had no significant effect on phosphorylase in first level slices (75% glomerulosa cells). Epinephrine, angiotensin II and vasopressin had no effect on adrenal phosphorylase at either level. Glucose- l-C¹⁴ oxidation and glucose uptake were found to be higher in first level slices, but ACTH had no effect on these parameters. ACTH did stimulate glucose-1-C¹⁴ and glucose- 6-C¹⁴ oxidation in hypophysectomized rat adrenal glands, but not in normal rat glands, and prolactin and TSH had no effect on glucose-1-C¹⁴ oxidation in hypophysectomized rats. Epinephrine and serotonin both stimulated glucose-1-C¹⁴ oxidation in bovine adrenal third level slices.