Effect of Thyroidectomy on ACTH Content of Rat Adenohypophysis.

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Abstract
The pituitary ACTH content of thyroidectomized rats was assayed against that of controls by the adrenal ascorbic acid depletion method in hypophysectomized rats. No significant difference was found between the hypophysial ACTH stores in these two conditions. Since, on the other hand, the acidophilic and the beta granules are largely depleted from the thyroidectomy-pituitaries, it is concluded that these two types of secretory granules cannot be the morphological sign of ACTH storage. The defective secretion of ACTH in hypothyroid rats is interpreted as being primarily due to a blocked release rather than to an impaired elaboration of this principle.