Points from Letters: Synthetic Oxytocin

Abstract

A.C.T.H.' secretion is insufficient to maintain spontaneous adrenal activity.3 " The inhibition of the A.C.T.H.-releasing mechanisms by exogenous corticotrophin is due to the high plasma cortisol levels resulting from adrenal stimulation, but since pituitary A.C.T.H. secretion in these corticosteroid-treated patients has already been suppressed for months or even years it is unreasonable to conclude that continuing this suppression for a few more days is likely to be harmful. There is no doubt that the prolonged daily' administration of repository A.C.T.H. preparations can result in a severe impairment of the A.C.T.H.-releasing mechanisms,' but there is considerable evidence that intermittent corticotrophin therapy does permit the pituitary-adrenal axis to recover between injections. Some of this evidence can be found in the references given in the article."-ED., B.M.7.