Control of aldosterone secretion by the pituitary gland

In the rat, the pituitary gland is essential for the stimulation of aldosterone secretion by sodium depletion. Hypophysectomy abolishes the response to sodium depletion, whereas whole pituitary gland injections partially restore it. The response cannot be restored by injections of either adrenocorticotropin or growth hormone, nor by adrenocorticotropin plus thyroxin. The pituitary gland must secrete a hormone or possibly several hormones which are necessary for the adrenal gland to respond to sodium depletion.