Hypophysectomy prevents ACTH-induced yawning and penile erection in rats.
The intracerebroventricular administration of ACTH1-24 (3-5 micrograms/rat) produced a behavioural syndrome characterized by recurrent episodes of penile erection and yawning in rats. Hypophysectomy prevented ACTH1-24-induced yawning and penile erection. These results suggest that pituitary has a "trophic" action not only on peripheral target organs but also on structures in brain controlling specific behavioural responses.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003366:Cosyntropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015000:Yawning / Q000187:drug effects
D003366:Cosyntropin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone