EVIDENCE OF SEPARATE HYPOTHALAMIC CENTERS CONTROLLING CORTICOTROPIN AND THYROTROPINSECRETION BY THE PITUITARY1

Abstract

PREVIOUS investigations have indicated that the hypothalamus controls the secretion of various pituitary hormones, including thyrotropin and corticotropin (Bogdanove and Halmi, 1953; Greer, 1952; Harris and Jacobsohn, 1952; Hume, 1952; McCann, 1953). Amphenone (1,2 bis- (p-aminophenyl)-2-methyl-propanone-l-dihydrochloride) has been shown by Hertz, et al. to cause marked adrenal and thyroid hypertrophy (Hertz, Allen and Tullner, 1950). They have also shown that adrenal hypertrophy can be selectively prevented by cortisone administration without impairing the goitrogenic effect and that thyroid hypertrophy can be prevented by thyroxin administration without impairing adrenal enlargement in the amphenone-treated animals (Hertz, Tullner and Allen, 1951). Both effects are lacking in the hypophysectomized animal (Hertz, Allen and Tullner, 1950). It is presumed that amphenone causes adrenal and thyroid hypertrophy by inhibiting the formation or secretion of their respective hormones, thus causing increased secretion of thyrotropin and corticotropin.