Abstract

Corticotrophin activity, as reflected by adrenal ascorbic acid depletion, was enhanced after the injection of varying amounts of dopamine. Exogenous dopamine was effective in doses of 0.1 mg/kg. The action of dopamine, unlike that of epinephrine, was not blocked by phenoxybenzamine. The combination of morphine and pentobarbital abolished the effect of dopamine, suggesting that its action was mediated through neural channels. It appears that dopamine may be acting as a neurotransmitter in the regulation of corticotrophin secretion.