Effect of ACTH on total adrenal cholesterol in bursectomized chicks

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Abstract
The effect of ACTH on the level of total adrenal cholesterol was studied in chemically or surgically bursectomized chicks. Total adrenal cholesterol was determined 12–15 hr after a single injection of 1 or 3 USP units of ACTH to 21-, 46-, and 60-day-old chicks. The adrenal cholesterol of control (12.9–16.7 µg/mg adrenal), surgically bursectomized (14.6– 18.2 µg/mg), and chemically bursectomized (13.3–14.2 µg/ mg) chicks receiving an injection of 3 USP units of ACTH was significantly lower than the cholesterol level (22.0–28.5 µg/ mg) of similar chicks not receiving ACTH. The results obtained from three trials suggest that the bursa of Fabricius does not influence the level of cholesterol in the adrenal gland. Also, it was found that ACTH will reduce the adrenal cholesterol of young birds.