Feedback inhibition of adrenocorticotropin and vasopressin responses to hypoxia by physiological increases in endogenous plasma corticosteroids in dogs.

We examined the influence of increases in plasma corticosteroids produced by ACTH infusion on subsequent ACTH and vasopressin (AVP) responses to hypoxia in anesthetized dogs. Basal and stimulated ACTH levels were inhibited by increases in corticosteroids. Moderate increases in corticosteroids (5.2 micrograms/dl) caused a 50% reduction in the subsequent integrated ACTH response to hypoxia. Maximal increases in corticosteroids eliminated the integrated ACTH response to hypoxia. In addition, AVP responses to hypoxia were attenuated by prior maximal elevations in corticosteroids. Physiological elevation of corticosteroids inhibits subsequent ACTH and AVP responses to hypoxia.