ACTH 1-17 stimulates GH pituitary secretion in humans

Nineteen normal subjects (12 men and 7 women) were injected with 100 micrograms of ACTH 1-17. Additionally 6 male subjects were studied twice at 3-day intervals with random infusions of ACTH 1-17 and saline. A clear GH response to ACTH 1-17 infusions (GH peak higher than 5 ng/ml) was documented in 10 out of 12 males and in 6 out of 7 women. In the 6 male subjects studied twice, clear-cut GH increments were observed only after peptide administration. PRL levels decreased throughout the study period both in male and female subjects; however, when the PRL percentage decline was evaluated in the same group of subjects after saline and ACTH 1-17, the more obvious decrease of PRL levels after the peptide infusion was not statistically significant. No variation of LH, FSH and TSH levels was documented. With the exception of the specific increase of cortisol levels, no significant change in peripheral steroid pattern (Te, E2, DHEA-S) was observed. In this experiment the effect on GH secretion was quite evident in both sexes. This effect was obtained using the lowest dosage of ACTH preparation documented in the literature.