THE EFFECT OF ADRENALECTOMY ON THE ANTERIOR PITUITARIES OF FOWLS1

Abstract

Study of the pituitaries of 10 adrenalectomized fowls indicated that degenerating basophilic cells were approximately 3 times more numerous than in normal fowls of similar age. The pituitaries of castrate fowls of similar age revealed few degenerating basophils and an abundance of large granulated basophils typical of the "castrate type." In adrenalectomized fowls the altered pituitary condition is not a result of testis degeneration but is probably a cause of it. Adrenalectomy causes degeneration of the testes indirectly by way of the pituitary.