Adrenocortical sensitivity to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) in awake dogs changes as a function of the time of observation and after hemorrhage independently of changes in ACTH.

Adrenocortical sensitivity to ACTH, defined as the slope of the log dose-response curve, was determined in awake dogs by measuring cortisol secretory rates after graded doses of ACTH. Adrenocortical sensitivity varied as a function of the time of observation. The AM sensitivity was greater than the PM sensitivity in the absence of an AM-PM difference in basal plasma ACTH. Additionally, sensitivity was increased in the PM 6--8 h after moderate hemorrhage in the AM. However, exogenous ACTH given in the AM did not augment adrenal sensitivity to ACTH in the PM. These data show that adrenocortical sensitivity to ACTH varies in awake dogs and that the changes in sensitivity cannot be completely accounted for by changes in ACTH.