EFFECTS OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE (ACTH) ON THE OSSEOUS SYSTEM IN NORMAL RATS1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The changes observed were compared with those of food restriction, and with the effects of hypophysectomy. The mediation of the adrenal in the growth depressing action of ACTH was also investigated. The treatment of normal rats with ACTH resulted in a retardation in both chon-drogenesis and osteogenesis in the region of the proximal epiphysis of the tibia. The reduction in width of the epi-physeal cartilage, while constant, was not so extreme as that following hypophysectomy. Furthermore, in hypophysec-tomized rats, osteogenesis ceased, whereas in ACTH treated rats it continued at a reduced rate. Significant food restriction resulted in a retardation of body wt. gain and bone growth which was somewhat less marked than that following ACTH inj. when the food consumption was approx. normal. It is evident that lessened food consumption could not explain the effects of ACTH. Growth inhibition and bone changes were not caused by ACTH in the absence of the adrenals.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: