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Stimulation of adrenal DNA synthesis by ACTH(1–39) and its fragments ACTH(1–24) (Synacthen) and ACTH(18–39) was investigated. Synthesis of DNA was measured as the increase in the percentage of cells in S-phase (Feulgen densitometry) in guinea-pig adrenal explants kept in organ culture and exposed to the peptides for 5 h at 37 °C. ACTH(1–39) and its C-terminal fragment ACTH(18–39) (corticotrophin-like intermediate lobe peptide) were found to be potent stimulators of in-vitro adrenal DNA synthesis. The dose–response kinetics were biphasic and optimal responsiveness was reached in both instances at 1 fmol/1–10 pmol/l (this biological effect of ACTH(18–39) has hitherto not been described). The N-terminal fragment ACTH(1–24) gave only minimal responses. Thyrotrophin and LH, tested as controls, did not induce adrenal DNA synthesis. Epidermal growth factor was a potent stimulator of adrenal DNA synthesis in vitro.Our data suggest a trophic action of the C-terminal part (ACTH(18–39)) of the corticotrophic molecule. Clear trophic effects were also found for the N-terminal part of the pro-opiomelanocortin molecule N-POC(1–76) (optimum 0·1 nmol/l) and N-POC(51– 62) (optimum 0·1 pmol/l). The latter observations support earlier concepts that this part of the proopiomelanocortin molecule has a stimulatory effect on adrenal DNA synthesis.J. Endocr.(1987) 115,505–510