J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1972. 35:995-1000.
© 1972 American Society of Animal Science
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Pituitary and Adrenocortical Function of Stress Susceptible Swine1

D. N. Marple2, M. D. Judge and E. D. Aberle

Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana 47907

Abstract

PITUITARY and adrenocortical function of stress-susceptible and stress-resistant swine was studied in animals maintained in psychrometric chambers under several environmental conditions. Under control conditions (21.1 C, 65% relative humidity) stress susceptible animals had higher plasma ACTH as measured by radioimmunoassay. In the control environment, ratios of mean plasma adrenocorticoids/mean plasma ACTH in stress susceptible animals were 1/3 to 1/4 the ratios calculated for stress resistant swine suggesting lower adrenal responsiveness to ACTH in susceptible animals. Exposure to more stressful fluctuating temperature environments resulted in a two-fold increase in ACTH and generally lower plasma corticoids. It is proposed that ACTH levels may indicate the stress susceptibility of an animal. Susceptible swine may or may not have higher plasma adrenal corticoids depending upon the stresses imposed prior to sampling. Plasma corticoid/plasma ACTH ratios may serve as an index of adrenal responsiveness. Results indicate that stress susceptible animals are not hampered by insufficient circulating ACTH.

Footnotes

1 Journal Paper No. 4589, Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Animal Sciences. The research reported in this paper was supported in part by a grant from the Indiana Pork Producers. The authors thank Armour Pharmaceuticals for supplying ACTH and Dr. R. R. Kraeling, U.S.D.A., A.R.S., Beltsville, Md. for supplying hypopbysectomized pig plasma used in this study.

2 Present address: Muscle Biology Laboratory, University of Wisconsin, Madison.






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