Corticotropin 

Corticotropin is a polypeptide hormone, also known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), synthesized and stored in the anterior pituitary gland. Large amounts of corticotropin are released in response to any form of stress. Corticotropin stimulates secretion of adrenal cortical hormones (mainly glucocorticoids) from the adrenal gland. It is used to test adrenal function.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH; previously known as corticotropin-releasing factor) is the central regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the main organizer of the body’s response to stress.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is released from the hypothalamus, which stimulates the anterior pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH then acts on its target organ, the adrenal cortex.