a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is a 13 amino acid peptide produced from metabolism of Proopiomelanocortin. One of the fragments of Proopiomelano-cortin is Adrenocorticotropin which is further fragmented to form a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone and Corticotropin-Like Intermediate Lobe Peptide (CLIP). The major biological property of a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is hyper-pigmentation. It also stimulates Aldosterone secretion, alters the blood-brain barrier permeability for glucose, sucrose and albumin, and is excreted by the placenta. Levels are higher in children dropping to adult levels as activity of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary declines. a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is the major melanotropin in the rat corresponding to b-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone in the human.
Discontinue steroid, ACTH, or hypertension medication, if possible, for at least 48 hours prior to collection.
A morning fasting specimen is preferred.
Centrifuge and separate plasma with in 2 hours or sooner from cells into a plastic vial
Serum
Gross hemolysis
Gross lipemia
Grossly icteric
Transport on dry ice
Adults: Up to 5.0 pg/mL
a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is a 13 amino acid peptide produced from metabolism of Proopiomelanocortin. One of the fragments of Proopiomelano-cortin is Adrenocorticotropin which is further fragmented to form a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone and Corticotropin-Like Intermediate Lobe Peptide (CLIP). The major biological property of a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is hyper-pigmentation. It also stimulates Aldosterone secretion, alters the blood-brain barrier permeability for glucose, sucrose and albumin, and is excreted by the placenta. Levels are higher in children dropping to adult levels as activity of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary declines. a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is the major melanotropin in the rat corresponding to b-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone in the human.
4 to 7 days
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