title: CRH gene expression in the fetal rat is not increased after pharmacological adrenalectomy.
abstract: A regimen of twice daily metyrapone injections (100 mg/kg), resulted in pharmacological adrenalectomy of pregnant rats and fetuses in utero, i.e. depression of plasma corticosterone and elevation of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Toxicity was minimal on days 14-17 of pregnancy, and increased with higher maternal weight and pregnancy progression. Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) messenger RNA abundance in the pregnant adults increased significantly within 48 h of metyrapone initiation. No change in CRH gene expression in the paraventricular nucleus of fetuses (days 17-18) was seen, even after 72 h of the regimen. This is compatible with the independence of CRH gene expression of glucocorticoid feedback in the fetal rat.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Southern California, Childrens Hospital, Los Angeles 90054-0700.
authors.forename: T Z
authors.initials: TZ
authors.lastname: Baram
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schultz
mesh_terms: D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008797:Metyrapone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D009841:Oligonucleotides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D008797:Metyrapone