Effect of 41-CRF antiserum on the secretion of ACTH, B-Endorphin and α-MSH in the rat

• Published in: Peptides (New York, N.Y. : 1980) Vol. 4; no. 3; pp. 301 - 304
• Main Authors: Conte-Devolx, B., Rey, M., Boudouresque, F., Giraud, P., Castanas, E., Millet, Y., Codaccioni, J.L., Oliver, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.05.1983; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: 41-CRF antiserum; ACTH; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - metabolism; Animals; Antibodies; B-endorphin; beta-Endorphin; Biological and medical sciences; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone - immunology; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone - physiology; Endorphins - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hormones and neuropeptides. Regulation; Hypothalamus - physiology; Hypothalamus. Hypophysis. Epiphysis. Urophysis; Immunization, Passive; Male; Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones - metabolism; Pituitary Gland - metabolism; Radioimmunoassay; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Vertebrates: endocrinology; α-MSH; ACTH; B-endorphin; α-MSH; 41-CRF antiserum; Radioimmunoassay; Rat; Antibody; Secretion; Rodentia; ACTH-RH; Peptide hormone; Metabolism; Biological activity; Adrenalectomy; Α-MSH; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Β-Endorphin; Proopiocortin
• ISSN: 0196-9781; 1873-5169
• DOI: 10.1016/0196-9781(83)90137-7

In order to elucidate the physiological role of the 41 amino-acid residue corticotropin-releasing factor (41-CRF) on the secretion of ACTH, B-Endorphin and α-MSH, plasma levels of these peptides were measured by radioimmunoassay in intact and adrenalectomized rats, two hours after the injection of either 41-CRF antiserum (CRF-AS) or normal rabbit serum for controls. The administration of CRF-AS strikingly lowered the plasma ACTH levels in both intact and adrenalectomized rats. A statistically significant reduction of plasma levels of B-Endorphin was also observed in the same rats. However, the effect of CRF-AS on B-Endorphin release was less pronounced than the effect on ACTH release. No changes in plasma α-MSH levels were observed after passive immunization with CRF-AS. We conclude that, in the rat, 41-CRF plays a physiological role in the regulation of ACTH and B-Endorphin secretion, but is not involved in the regulation of α-MSH release from the pituitary gland.