ACETYLCHOLINE DOES NOT STIMULATE THE RELEASE OF GROWTH-HORMONE FROM PERIFUSED RAT ADENOHYPOPHYSES

Acetylcholine (1 μmol/L - 1 mmol/L) has been reported to stimulate growth hormone release from perifused bovine pituitary slices. We have carried out studies using the perifused pars distalis of the rat adenohypophysis to see whether a similar response is observed. Neither acetylcholine, acetylcholine with eserine, nor carbamylcholine, at concentrations of 10-9, 10-6 and 10-3 M, stimulated the release of growth hormone. Thus we could nor demonstrate a similar response to acetylcholine in the pars distalis of the rat adenohypophysis as reported in the bovine gland.