Localization of ACTH in the human hypothalamus.

Using an antiserum to porcine ACTH and the unlabeled antibody preoxidase-antiperoxidase technique, we have found that ACTH is present in neuronal cell bodies located exclusively in the arcuate nucleus of the human hypothalamus. ACTH-containing fibers are distributed extensively throughout the hypothalamus with a greatest density in the periventricular nucleus. No concentration of ACTH fibers could be observed in the neurovascular zone of the pituitary stalk.