[Adrenocorticotropic function of the hypophysis and its regulation in the human fetus]

The morphofunctional development and regulation of hypothalamo-hypophysial system were studied by radioimmunological and immunocytochemical methods, as well as tissue culture, in the prenatal development of the man. In the pituitary of human foetus corticotropic cells appeared beginning from the 6-7th week of development which were capable to produce immunoreactive ACTH and, upon in vitro cultivation, release it in the medium. Within 10 weeks of prenatal development, the human pituitary became sensitive to hypothalamic corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). On the 12th week CRH was detected in that the system ACTH-CRH becomes active in the end of the first third of prenatal development in the man.