title: Differential Effects of Glucocorticoids on Corticotrophin-Releasing Factor in the Rat Pituitary Neurointermediate Lobe and Median Eminence.
abstract: We have investigated the effects of glucocorticoid manipulation on corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF-41) in the neurointermediate lobe (NIL) and median eminence (ME) of the rat using a radioimmunoassay specific for CRF-41. CRF-41 content in the NIL (88+/-7 fmol, mean +/- SEM) was not significantly altered by administration of dexamethasone in drinking water for 12 days (67+/-9 fmol) or adrenalectomy for 12 days (96+/-17 fmol). The saline-stimulated increase in NIL CRF-41 content (154+/-24 fmol) was not affected by dexamethasone (152+/-24 fmol) or adrenalectomy (179+/-21 fmol). In contrast, the content of CRF-41 in the ME declined following dexamethasone treatment (1247+/-92 fmol to 864+/-26 fmol), or adrenalectomy (854+/-78 fmol). Our results provide further evidence that CRF-41 in the NIL and ME can be differentially regulated.
authors.affiliation: Medical Unit, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, Westminster Hospital, 17 Page St, London SW1P 2AP, UK.
authors.forename: David S.
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Jessop
authors.forename: Hardial S.
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chowdrey
authors.forename: Stafford L.
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lightman