title: Pulsatile secretion of alpha-MSH and the differential effects of dexamethasone and haloperidol on the secretion of alpha-MSH and ACTH in dogs.
abstract: This study was performed to determine whether, in the dog, there is at any time pulsatile release of alpha-MSH and whether secretion of ACTH from the pars intermedia (PI) contributes to the circulating concentrations of ACTH. The 24-h secretory profiles of alpha-MSH, ACTH, and cortisol were determined in eight dogs. Plasma samples were obtained at 10-min intervals via an indwelling jugular catheter during two 12-h periods. Pulsatile secretion of alpha-MSH was found in all dogs, with wide variations in peak height. Plasma alpha-MSH levels were usually low (mean 15 pmol/l), but brief, distinct periods of increased plasma alpha-MSH concentrations as high as 489 pmol/l were found. Analysis of pulse frequency revealed a mean of 4.75 significant alpha-MSH peaks/24 h. The highest alpha-MSH peaks were associated with definite changes in the plasma concentrations of ACTH. In separate studies, the influence of dexamethasone on the 6-h secretory profiles and on the haloperidol-stimulated secretion of alpha-MSH, ACTH, and cortisol was investigated. In these two studies, plasma ACTH was measured by a highly sensitive immunoradiometric assay. Dexamethasone pretreatment significantly suppressed the plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, and alpha-MSH to 10.3%, 3.9%, and 74.6% respectively. Dexamethasone pretreatment also significantly reduced the haloperidol-stimulated secretion of ACTH and cortisol, but had no influence on the haloperidol-stimulated secretion of alpha-MSH. After the administration of haloperidol to the dexamethasone-pretreated dogs, there were small increases in the plasma concentrations of ACTH and cortisol, the latter being significant. These data demonstrate that alpha-MSH is secreted spontaneously in a pulsatile manner in the dog and suggest that the canine PI contributes to circulating ACTH concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kooistra
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Greven
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rijnberk
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004285:Dogs; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000521:alpha-MSH; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006220:Haloperidol; D006854:Hydrocortisone