[The effect of ACTH and chorionic gonadotropin on cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate concentration and of a homogenate of fetal hypophysis on adrenal steroidogenesis in human embryos and fetuses from the 7th to the 12th week of embryonic development].

It was shown that homogenates of the hypophysis of human fetuses from the 8th to the 12th week of gestation stimulated in vitro formation of F and DEA-sulfate in the adrenal glands of fetuses of the same gestation period. ACTH increased the cAMP concentration in the adrenal glands of all the embryos and fetuses under study; this pointed to the presence in them of ACTH-dependent adenylcyclase, and, consequently, of the ACTH receptors. On the contrary, chorionic hormone produced no effect on the cAMP concentration in the adrenal glands. The data obtained, together with those published earlier suggested that adrenal glands of human fetuses from the 8th week of gestation were already under the controlling influence of ACTH of their hypophyses and that the action mechanism of ACTH on the adrenal glands of fetuses was analogous to its action on the adrenal glands of adult.