Pseudo-Hypophysectomy

Abstract

Data have been obtained from over 300 rats upon acute and chronic inanition, and then compared with the tissue changes reported to occur after hypophysectomy. The effects of prolonged chronic inanition resemble those from hypophysectomy, especially upon the endocrine organs. The endocrine tissue changes are qualitatively similar in the two conditions but they are seldom so marked during chronic inanition as they are following hypophysectomy. Other tissue changes are equally marked in both conditions and appear to be related to the loss in the body weight. The response of the endocrine organs of the rat to chronic inanition has been termed pseudo-hypophysectomy not only because of the resemblance between the effects of inanition and hypophysectomy but also because we believe that many of the effects of inanition are due to malnutrition of the hypophysis, resulting in a diminished secretion of hormones.