[Role of the medial hypothalamus in regulating the pituitary-adrenocortical system].

In unrestrained rabbits, inhibition of ACTH release as determined by changes in plasma levels of corticosteroids, followed electrolytic lesion of the dorso-and ventromedia nuclei of the hypothalamus. Electric stimulation of the dorsal midbrain tegmentum had activated ACTH prior to lesion; after the lesion of the dorso-and ventromedial nuclei the stimulation produced no response. The dorso-and ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus are essential for basal and induced secretion of the ACTH.