Adrenocorticotropic action of antidiuretic hormone.

By means of direct arterial perfusion of the adrenal glands of the hypophysectomized dog, it has been shown that synthetic lysine, arginine and acetyl arginine vasopressins stimulate the adrenal cortex directly to secrete hydrocortisone. Pressor activity and cortisol-stimulating activity were demonstrated to be independent of each other. Similar polypeptides, such as oxytocin, insulin, glucagon, and pressor amines, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, did not show any cortisol-stimulating activity. ACTH was found consistently to increase the rate of secretion of aldosterone when perfused through the glands of hypophysectomized animals. The probable role of arginine vasopressin as an important factor in the stress reaction is considered along with its postulated ability to activate adrenal phosphorylase.