Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin) is a polypeptide hormone synthesised and secreted from corticotropes in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland in response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) released by the hypothalamus.
ACTH stimulates the cortex of the adrenal gland and boosts the synthesis of corticosteroids, mainly glucocorticoids but also mineralcorticoids and sex steroids (androgens). Together with ACTH the hormones lipotropin , melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), β-endorphin and met-enkephalin are also released. ACTH is also related to the circadian rhythm in many organisms.
The half-life of ACTH in human blood is about 10 minutes.
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