
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Schellenberg, J-C. 
T1  - Effect of maternal infusion of adrenocorticotrophin<emph tye="8">1 - 24</emph>(ACTH<emph tye="8">1 - 24</emph>) on parturition in guinea-pigs near term
JF  - Reproduction, Fertility and Development
JO  - Reprod. Fertil. Dev.
Y1  - 1998
VL  - 9
IS  - 8
SP  - 811
EP  - 814
KW  - fetal ACTH, cortisol, prostaglandin metabolite.
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/R97053 
N2  - While the mechanism of onset of labour in guinea-pigs is unknown, it has beensuggested that administration ofadrenocorticotrophin1-24(ACTH1-24) near term induces labour. In order to verifythis finding, guinea-pigs were fitted with indwelling carotid and jugularvascular cannulae. ACTH1-24 (30 &#181;gh-1 for four hours, n = 9)or vehicle (n = 5) was infused intravenously onDay 64 (term is 68 days). ACTH1-24 had no effect ongestational length (68&#183;4 &#177; 1&#183;0days,n = 6 v. control,69&#183;6 &#177; 0&#183;3 days, n = 5,P = 0&#183;8). Symphysial width, fetal weight,number and viability were similar in both groups (all P&#62; 0&#183;1). Infusion of ACTH1-24 increasedmaternal ACTH concentrations from &#60;1&#183;8 pmolL-1 to 34&#183;6 pmol L-1(n = 6, P &#60; 0&#183;01) while fetal ACTHconcentrations remained undetectable (n = 6).Infusion of ACTH1 24 increased cortisol concentrations in maternal plasma from8&#183;3 &#177;0&#183; 6 mmol L -1 to 15&#183;8&#177; 0&#183;8 mmol L-1 (n= 6, P &#60; 0&#183;001) but had no effect onconcentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2&#945;(P = 0&#183;8). It is concluded that(1) maternal infusion of ACTH1-24at the dosage used does not induce labour in guinea-pigs, and(2) ACTH1-24 does not cross the placenta. 
ER  -

