PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE RESPONSE OF EXPERIMENTAL WOUND HEALING TO ACTH

Abstract

The formation of experimentally-produced granulation tissue can be inhibited by ACTH. It has been shown that pitressin tannate and chorionic gonadotrophin do not have this effect. No gonadotrophic activity could be detected in the sample of ACTH used. Hypophysectomized mice became progressively and rapidly less responsive to ACTH. The gonads were found to be essential for inhibition to occur. Adrenalectomized mice at the beginning of the breeding season, adrenalectomized pregnant mice, and adrenalectomized mice pre-treated with chorionic gonadotrophin showed inhibition of healing by ACTH. Adrenalectomized mice pre-treated with follicle-stimulating hormone or pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin were not inhibited. Cortisone acetate causes inhibition in intact and gonadectomized mice. Neither testosterone, oestriol, nor oestradiol had any effect; but progesterone gave definite impairment under the conditions of the experiment. It is suggested that the gonads are capable of responding to ACTH under the influence of luteinizing hormone.