The time sequence and the mechanism(s) involved in the discharge of ACTH from the adenohypophysis are problems of basic importance to our knowledge of the role of the adrenal cortex in the reaction of the organism to stress. Estimates of ACTH discharge have been based on alterations in the adrenal cortex of the stressed animal at one or more hours after application of the stressful stimulus. Such estimates are of limited value since they are based on the degree of change in the adrenal cortex long after the application of the stimulus. Furthermore, it is entirely possible that stress acting in combination with ACTH will produce an alteration in the concentrations of adrenal metabolites of greater magnitude than that produced by ACTH alone. The development of a technic for the analysis of blood ACTH has overcome these difficulties. This index more nearly reflects pituitary activity at any instant.
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Sydnor et al. (1954) studied this question.