RETENTION OF NORMAL INSULIN TOLERANCE AND ADRENAL CORTEX AFTER EXTIRPATION OF THE HYPOPHYSIAL STALK IN THE DOG

Abstract

The tissue of the hypophysial stalk which is removed in executing a near-total hypophys-ectomy was removed with a sparing of a sizable amt. of the distal pars ant. tissue in 8 dogs (stalk removal procedure). Most of the dogs subsequently showed no noteworthy deviation from the normal in 1, the size of or the function of the adrenal cortex, and 2, the ability to tolerate 1/2-1 unit of insulin/kg. of body wt. administered subcut. Some atrophy of the adrenal cortex was suspected and a decrease in insulin tolerance was definite in a few of the animals, but in no instance did these deficits approach in magnitude those which are routinely encountered in the near-total hypophysectomized dog. On the basis of these results and those previously published, it is concluded that the hypophysial control over the adrenal cortex and the over-all carbohydrate reserves (as reflected by insulin tolerance) are mediated by elements located in the cellular population of both the pars tuberalis and the pars anterior.