To clarify the physiological role of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), we measured plasma CRH, ACTH, and cortisol throughout pregnancy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CRH levels and ACTH responsiveness to synthetic CRH were also quantified in pregnant and nonpregnant women. Maternal plasma CRH levels, which increased progressively during pregnancy, correlated well with both ACTH and c...

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge test is recognized as a method for evaluating some forms of stress. Six lacting cows, well trained to blood sampling were used for this study. Cows were randomly assigned to receive saline or an intramuscular single dose (0.5 μg/kg) of ACTH (Synacthen Depot). Blood samples (10 mL) were collected from the coccygeal blood vessels of all cows at 0 h (im...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the trend of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels in mares during peripartum period. Twelve pregnant mares (Group A) were weekly monitored from the last 6 weeks before foaling (6BF-1BF) until the first 3 weeks after foaling (1AF-3AF). Twelve non-pregnant non-lactating mares constituted the control (Group B). Jugular blood samples were ana...

BACKGROUND PTSD has been associated with altered hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis (HPA-axis), immune and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) regulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of cognitive stress on these systems in PTSD patients and controls. METHODS The subjective units of distress score (SUDS), NK-cell response, plasma levels of noradrenalin and ACTH in respon...

To clarify the physiological role of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), we measured plasma CRH, ACTH, and cortisol throughout pregnancy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CRH levels and ACTH responsiveness to synthetic CRH were also quantified in pregnant and nonpregnant women. Maternal plasma CRH levels, which increased progressively during pregnancy, correlated well with both ACTH and c...

The dopamine reuptake inhibitor bupropion and dopamine D2/3 receptor agonist pramipexole have been clinically proven to improve both depression and treatment-resistant depression. We examined its influence on the duration of immobility during the forced swim test in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-treated rats and further analyzed the possible role of the dopamine nerve system in this effect...

The increased ambient temperature affects the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Since the correlation among vasopressin (VP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) responses to various stressors have been long recognized, the aim of this study was to reveal the aforementioned hormones production and morphology of the pituitary gland after exposure to ...

Bronchopulmonary carcinoids are rare pulmonary neoplasms although they account for most cases of ectopic ACTH syndromes. When feasible, the mainstay treatment is surgical resection of the tumor. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with signs and symptoms suggestive of hypercortisolism for 12 months, admitted to our department because of community acquired pneumonia. Blood hormone analysis...

Hypercortisolemia, as measured by baseline serum Cortisol levels (Carroll and Mendels, 1976) and abnormal response to dexamethasone suppression test (DST) (Carroll et at., 1981) is thought to characterize abnormal hypothalamic-pituitory- adrenal (HPA) axis functions in patients of depression. Whether adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) shows similar abnormalities is a matter of controversy. Whe...