adrenocorticotropicadj.
/əˌdriːnə(ʊ)ˌkɔːtᵻkə(ʊ)ˈtrɒpɪk/, /əˌdriːnə(ʊ)ˌkɔːtᵻkə(ʊ)ˈtrəʊpɪk/, U.S. /əˌdrinoʊˌkɔrdəkoʊˈtrɑpɪk/; see also adreno- comb. form. Physiology.
Acting to stimulate the adrenal cortex; esp. in adrenocorticotropic hormone (see Compounds). Also: of or relating to this action or hormone.
ΚΠ
1936 C. S. Davidson & H. D. Moon in Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. 1936–7 35 281 (title) Effect of adrenocorticotropic extracts on accessory reproductive organs of castrate rats.
1967 Gen. & Compar. Endocrinol. 9 93/1 A gonadotropic extract of Oncorhynchus tshawytscha pituitaries..contained enough adrenocorticotropic activity to restore the atrophied interrenal cells..to normal.
1983 Neurosci. Lett. 43 235 To explore further how the GABAergic system regulates the adrenocorticotropic axis, we examined the effects of picrotoxin on the circadian rhythm of ACTH and corticosterone.
2006 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) B. 361 1265/1 All of these peptides exhibit melanotropic and/or adrenocorticotropic activity.
Compounds
adrenocorticotropic hormone n. a peptide hormone which is secreted by the anterior pituitary and stimulates the adrenal cortex; abbreviated ACTH.
ΚΠ
1937 Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. 1936–7 35 649 Preparation and biological assay of adrenocorticotropic hormone.
2000 Independent 10 June ii. 13/5 It is particularly known for its ability to stimulate the brain, boosting the adrenocorticotropic hormone that helps us to think clearly.
2007 Esquire Oct. 52/2 He's whacked out on pain-masking ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone).
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1936