STIMULATION OF ANTERIOR HYPOPHYSIS METABOLISM BY THEELIN OR DIHYDROTHEELIN

Abstract

The in vitro addition of theelin or dihydrothoelin to the ant. lobe of the pituitary of spayed rats resulted in an increased rate of 0 consumption of the tissue within 1 hr. The intraperitoneal inj. of an aqueous soln. of 4y of dihydrotheelin into spayed rats resulted in an increased rate of 0 consumption of the ant. pituitary within 6 hrs. The respiratory rate returned to the original level within 12 hrs. after the inj. The specificity of this reaction of the ant. hypophysis to theelin or dihydrotheelin was shown by the fact that neither liver nor kidney reacts in the same manner under the same conditions. l-Thyroxin addition in vitro to ant. pituitary, liver or kidney did not increase their respiratory rates. The respiratory increase of the ant. pituitary following the administration of theelin or dihydrotheelin suggested a mechanism responsible for the resp. increase in this gland during the oestrous cycle and at parturition.