Stress-induced ACTH release after removal of the hypothalamus in rats with atrophied neural lobe.

Twenty-four hours after isolation of the pituitary by surgical removal of the medial hypothalamus, i.e. in rats with pituitary island, E. coli endotoxin significantly increased the plasma corticosterone level. Atrophy of the neural lobe, due to pituitary stalk section performed one month prior to removal of the medial hypothalamus, did not prevent the increase of ACTH release by E. coli endotoxin. E. coli endotoxin-induced ACTH release in MBH-deprived animals does not appear to be a function of mechanisms operating only in the innervated lobe.