The Effect of ACTH on Adrenocortical Secretion and Ascorbic Acid Depletion in Normal and Testosterone Treated Cockerels

THE ACTION of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in the bird, especially the young bird, has been the subject of some controversy. Early workers were unable to elicit adrenal ascorbic acid (AA) or cholesterol depletion in birds with ACTH (see Elton et al., 1959, for a review). Similarly Dulin (1953) and Conner (1959) reported a lack of adrenal enlargement in response to ACTH administered to 4–6 week old chicks. However, recent avain studies have confirmed many of the classical actions of ACTH on vertebrates. Perek and Eckstein (1959) demonstrated that “adult chickens” do show adrenal AA depletion in response to ACTH. Similarly, Siegel and Bean (1961) and Siegel (1961) have reported adrenal cholesterol depletion, plasma hyperglycemia and hypercholesteremia in response to ACTH treatment of chickens 46 days old. These authors and Garren et al. (1961) have also reported adrenal weight increases in response to ACTH. The classic lympholytic action induced by …