Hormonal modulation of atrial natriuretic factor receptors in adrenal fasciculata cells from female rats.

We recently reported that the hormonal status of female rats modified atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) receptors and the aldosterone-suppressant activity of ANF in adrenal glomerulosa cells; here we investigated if this was also true for adrenal fasciculata cells. Adrenal fasciculata cells from animals in different hormonal states contained guanylate cyclase linked ANF-R1 receptors but not ANF-R2 (clearance) receptors. The concentration of ANF-R1 receptors in cells from intact virgin rats was insignificantly higher than in cells from 13- to 15-day pregnant rats and significantly higher than in cells from ovariectomized (OVX), OVX beta-estradiol-treated, and OVX progesterone-treated rats. Under none of the hormonal states did ANF suppress adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulated corticosterone secretion. Data suggest that the interactions between ANF and ACTH on mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid synthesis markedly differ.