title: Effect of 41-CRF antiserum on the secretion of ACTH, B-endorphin and alpha-MSH in the rat.
abstract: In order to elucidate the physiological role of the 41 amino-acid residue corticotropin-releasing factor (41-CRF) on the secretion of ACTH, B-Endorphin and alpha-MSH, plasma levels of these peptides were measured by radioimmunoassay in intact and adrenalectomized rats, two hours after the injection of either 41-CRF antiserum (CRF-AS) or normal rabbit serum for controls. The administration of CRF-AS strikingly lowered the plasma ACTH levels in both intact and adrenalectomized rats. A statistically significant reduction of plasma levels of B-Endorphin was also observed in the same rats. However, the effect of CRF-AS on B-Endorphin release was less pronounced than the effect on ACTH release. No changes in plasma alpha-MSH levels were observed after passive immunization with CRF-AS. We conclude that, in the rat, 41-CRF plays a physiological role in the regulation of ACTH and B-Endorphin secretion, but is not involved in the regulation of alpha-MSH release from the pituitary gland.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008297:Male; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone