Induction of muricidal behavior by ACTH or adrenalectomy in young male Wistar rats.

ACTH administered IP induces a muricidal behavior in 52% of male Wistar rats that do not express it before; such behavior is also observed spontaneously in 68% of adrenalectomized animals. This change in behavior is characterized by an exceptionally long duration (several months in some animals), and by its prevention by previous or substitutive treatments with dexamethasone. Data obtained using hypophysectomized or adrenalectomized animals with or without ACTH treatments suggest that the muricidal-inducing effect of ACTH might have, at least partially, a central origin.