[The direct stimulating effect of arginine vasotocin on the functional activity of the interrenal gland in the frog Rana temporaria].

Using radioimmunoassay it has been detected that both nonoperated and hypophysectomized, lacking endogenous ACTH, frogs injected one or three times with arginine vasotocin (5.10(-9) M/kg b. w.) show a statistically significant increase of plasma corticosterone level as compared with that in control animals and frogs injected with Ringer solution. The level of 11-hydroxycorticosteroids (fluorometric determination) in the interrenal gland decreases significantly only in animals three times injected with arginine vasotocin. It is assumed that arginine vasotocin produces a direct stimulatory effect on corticosteroid-producing cells of the frog interrenal gland.