Adrenocorticotropin Secretion from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Cyclic and Pregnant Animals

A growing body of evidence suggests that a number of classical pituitary hormones are also produced and secreted from immune cells. The cross-talk between endocrine and the immune system is heightened during disease, stress and pregnancy. We studied the adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) harvested from cyclic and pregnant animals. Our results indicate a significantly high secretion of ACTH from PBMCs in all stages of pregnancy compared to that in cyclic animals. This implies a new role for ACTH secreted from PBMCs in fetomaternal immune interactions.