Induction of premature parturition in sheep: adrenocorticotrophin and corticosteroid changes during infusion of Synacthen into the foetus.
Synacthen (10 microgram/h) infused into foetal sheep at about day 125 of gestation caused premature delivery within 4 days. During the first 24 h of the infusion the secretion of adrenocorticotrophin was depressed and the assayable hormone concentration was within 500-1000 pg/ml. Subsequently, large fluctuations occurred in the adrenocorticotrophin concentration in the plasma of foetal sheep which were consistent with the stimulation of adrenocorticotrophin secretion. No transfer of Synachthen to non-infused twin foetuses was observed. The plasma corticosteroid concentration in the infused foetus also showed a small rise during the first 24 h of the infusion followed by large fluctuations in concentrations that coincided with the changes in adrenocorticotrophin. No consistent changes in the plasma corticosteroid concentration in the non-infused twin foetus were observed. These results are discussed in relation to the hormone changes occurring during normal delivery.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D003366:Cosyntropin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D007267:Injections; D007751:Labor, Induced; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003366:Cosyntropin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D010100:Oxygen