Effect of Exogenous Corticotropin on the Histochemical Pattern of the Human Adrenal Cortex and a Comparison With the Changes During Stress

The histologic changes which occur in the human adrenal cortex in conditions of stress are attributed to the liberation of endogenous corticotropin (ACTH). The effect of exogenous corticotropin on the adrenal gland is well known in animals, but only recently has it been possible to study the changes which take place in the human adrenal cortex as a result of such stimulation. Variations occur in lipid pattern, cytology, enzyme content and ribonucleic acid content of the cells. A comparison of the changes during stress with those found during administration of corticotropin forms the basis of this paper.