Divergent changes in plasma ACTH and pituitary POMC mRNA after cortisol administration to late-gestation ovine fetus

The American Journal of Physiology
T M JeffrayJ R Challis

Abstract

Plasma concentrations of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) rise in the late-gestation sheep fetus at approximately the same time as there is an increase in the plasma levels of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG). We hypothesized that intrafetal cortisol infusion during late pregnancy would stimulate an increase in fetal plasma CBG, which in turn would bind cortisol and diminish glucocorticoid negative-feedback regulation of the fetal pituitary, leading to an increase in plasma ACTH concentrations. Cortisol was infused into chronically catheterized fetal sheep beginning at 126.1 +/- 0.5 days of gestation and continued for 96 h. Control fetuses were infused with saline. In cortisol-infused fetuses, the plasma cortisol concentrations rose significantly from control levels (4.4 +/- 0.6 ng/ml) to 19.3 +/- 3.1 ng/ml within 24 h and remained significantly elevated throughout the infusion period. Plasma immunoreactive (i.r.) ACTH concentrations were significantly elevated in cortisol-infused fetuses within 24-48 h and remained significantly higher than in controls throughout the 96-h experimental period. Plasma free cortisol concentrations increased 10-fold and remained significantly elevated in cortisol-infused animal...Continue Reading

References

Apr 1, 1979·The Journal of Endocrinology·R E SilmanP Nathanielsz
Apr 1, 1989·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·J R ChallisA D Bocking
Nov 1, 1985·Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology·L J NormanJ R Challis
Feb 24, 1986·Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta·F J GossardS N Cohen
Feb 15, 1982·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·R HardingP W Nathanielsz
Dec 1, 1994·Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology·M Dodic, E M Wintour
Nov 1, 1995·Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology·T M JeffrayJ R Challis

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Citations

Jun 18, 2002·American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism·Alison C HollowayJohn R G Challis
Aug 31, 2006·American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism·Frank H BloomfieldJane E Harding

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