Although CRH (initially referred to as CRF) was the first of the hypophysiotrophic factors to be recognised and to be given the generic name ΓÇÿreleasing factorΓÇÖ (by Saffran and Schally, 1955), its chemical nature was not determined until 1981 by Vale and collaborators.
Patients injected with CRH respond with increased ACTH and plasma corticosteroid levels (Fig. 1.22). In addition, the peptides b-lipotrophin and endorphin are stimulated; these are synthesised in the corticotrophs, together with ACTH, as part of the precursor molecule POMC (pro-opiomelanocortin).
