Synergism between systemic corticotropin-releasing factor and arginine vasopressin on adrenocorticotropin release in vivo varies as a function of gestational age in the ovine fetus.

In sheep, parturition is associated with maturation of fetal pituitary-adrenal function, and with rises in the concentrations of ACTH and cortisol (F) in fetal plasma. We examined the hypothesis that pituitary ACTH output in response to arginine vasopressin (AVP) and CRF separately and together might change during late pregnancy as a function of fetal age. Fetal sheep were chronically catheterized, and bolus iv injections of equimolar AVP, CRF, AVP plus CRF, or saline (controls) were given on days 110-115, 125-130, and 135-140 of gestation. AVP evoked significant rises in plasma ACTH on days 110-115 and 125-130, but not on days 135-140. After AVP, the peak plasma concentrations of ACTH were attained at 5-10 min, and basal (preinjection) values were reestablished by 30-60 min. After CRF treatment, plasma ACTH rose progressively throughout the 240 min of the study. Evidence was obtained in support of an increase in pituitary responsiveness to CRF between days 110-115 and 125-130 and a decrease in response on days 135-140, when basal F concentrations were higher. The ACTH response to AVP, relative to that to CRF, was greatest in the youngest fetuses. On days 110-115 only, CRF and AVP showed a synergistic response in ACTH output, especially during the first 30 min after agonist injection. Plasma F rose in response to the changes in endogenously released ACTH in a manner consistent with progressive fetal adrenal maturation between days 110-140 of pregnancy. We conclude that in vivo the ovine fetal pituitary responds separately and synergistically to AVP and CRF on days 110-115 of gestation, but the relative role of AVP in stimulating ACTH release decreases with progressive gestational age.