Effects of synthetic corticotropin-releasing factor and dopamine on the release of immunoreactive β-endorphin/β-lipotropin and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone from human fetal pituitaries

D. M. Gibbs, R. D. Stewart, J. H. Liu, W. Vale, J. Rivier, S. S.C. Yen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of synthetic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and dopamine on immunoreactive β-endorphin/β-lipotropin (iβ-END/LPH) and aMSH release were studied in superfused human fetal pituitary glands. CRF (20 ng) stimulated the release of iβ-END/LPH in four anterior hemipituitaries from fetuses older than 20 weeks in gestation. There was no effect on three anterior hemipituitaries from fetuses of 19–20 weeks gestation. CRF had no effect on iβ-END/LPH or αMSH secretion from neurointermediate lobes regardless of fetal age. Dopamine (10−6 M) had no effect on iβ-END/LPH or αMSH secretion from either anterior or neurointermediate lobes. The data suggest that anterior pituitary responsiveness to CRF develops at about 20 weeks gestation and that fetal neurointermediate lobe secretion of peptides is not regulated by CRF.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1149-1152
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume55
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1982
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of synthetic corticotropin-releasing factor and dopamine on the release of immunoreactive β-endorphin/β-lipotropin and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone from human fetal pituitaries'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this