[The biosynthesis of cortisol and its regulation by the adrenocorticotropic hormone in the adrenals of silver fox embryos].

We studied the cortisol level in blood serum and adrenal homogenates, as well as the in vitro production of cortisol in adrenals of silver fox embryos of both sexes in response to exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation. The level of cortisol in blood serum did not show any significant changes during the embryo development, while its level in adrenals and production by adrenals in vitro increased progressively from Day 35 to Day 50 of prenatal life. We found that ACTH is capable of stimulating cortisol biosynthesis and production in vitro during all studied periods of embryogenesis.