The comparative anatomy of the hypophysis, with special reference to its blood supply and innervation.

Summary. 

In the toad, Bufo bufo (L), the survival and function of auto- and homografts of the pars distalis of the pituitary gland placed under the median eminence or under the recessus opticus of the brain were studied. The toads were supplied with the grafts after removal of the pars distalis or after hypophysectomy.



All autografts were well vascularized and surviving. However, only the autografts under the median eminence receiving a vascular supply from the hypophysio-portal system appeared normal and exerted functional activities, as judged from the condition of the skin and the length of survival of the recipient.



The survival of homografts was limited. Such grafts placed under the median eminence were, however, functional during periods of up to 16 weeks. Homografts placed under the recessus opticus failed to exert the activities studied in the present work. The recipients of homografts at this site did not survive appreciably longer than toads with the pars distalis removed, and their skin showed abnormal keratinization.



The observations support the assumption that in amphibians the functional significance of the hypophysio-portal system is the same as in mammals. The importance of immunological reactions for the function of homografts of this endocrine gland is discussed.



Our thanks are due to Mrs. Gunhild Nilsson for her skilled help with the histological work and to Miss Gunnel Christiansson for valuable technical assistance.



This work has been supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.

Survival and function of auto- and homografts of adenohypophysial tissue in the toad, bufo bufo L.

The anatomy, chemistry, and physiology of adrenocortical tissue

Seasonal changes in blood glucose content, liver glycogen conten, and fat body weight have been studied in Rana pipiens. Over a 12-month period frogs were maintained at room temperature in tap water for a minimum of 14 days before observations were made. The frogs were not fed while in the laboratory. Blood glucose content was high in the summer (June through August) and fall (September through August) and fall (September through November) and low in the winter (December through February) and spring (March through May). The value for summer (60 mgm per 100 cm3 blood) was not signficantly different from the blood glucose level in the fall (60 mgm %). However, the blood glucose content in the winter (52 mgm % ) and the spring (49 mgm % ) were significantly different from each other and from the summer and fall. Liver glycogen content was high in the fall (1.16 gm/100 gm body weight). This decreased through the winter (0.85 gm/100 gm body weight) and spring (0.50 gm/100gm body weigh) until the annual low was reached in the summer (0.27 gm/100 gm body weight). All seasons were significantly diferent from each other when tested statistically. Fat body weights also exhibited a seasonal variation. All seasons were significantly different from each other. The high was in the summer (203.3 mgm/100 gm body weight). Fat body weights then decreased to 87.1 mgm/100 body weight in the fall, 32.7 mgm/100 gm body weight in the winter, and 25.1 mgm/100 gm body weight in the spring. These data are important when studying metabolic changes in this common laboratory animal.

Seasonal changes in energy reserves in the common frog, Rana pipiens†

CHAPTER VII – Growth Hormone and Corticotropin

BY BERNARDO A. HOUSSAY Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental, Buenos Aires T H HE study of the functions of the hypophysis of Bufo arenarum Hensel (and other batrachians) was started forty years ago in Argentina. This toad is perhaps the species in which the largest number of functions related to the hypophysis has been found and studied. The importance of this work lies in the general principle of endocrinology that hormonal actions have a fundamental similarity in all species. The hypophysis is necessary for the preservation of the life of the individual toad and also of the species. Its removal is followed by metabolic disturbances which are fatal in a few weeks, and by interference with the sexual functions, which prevents reproduction. Personal experience with over twenty thousand individuals of the species Bufo arentarum Hensel, has convinced the author of the many advantages it has for experimental purposes. It is easy to obtain in large numbers cheaply. It has great resistance to trauma. It offers facility of operative techniques; a great variety and severity of the symptoms of hypophyseal insufficiency; rapidity and intensity in its response to the implantation of one or the other of the lobes of the hypophysis; and the possibility of making experiments and obtaining p)roofs more easily and in larger numbers than with any other animal.. This toad is preferable to the frog Leptodactylus ocellatus (L.) Gir., which was studied in 1910 to 1916 and in 1924, and which is common in the Argentina, but is much less resistant. The symptoms of hypophysectomy or hypophyseal insufficiency observed in Bufo arenarum are very similar, except for slight differences, in Leptodactylus ocellatus (L.) Gir. (Houssay, 1910, 1916; Houssay and Ungar, 1924a, b, 1925a, b); Bufo marinus, Bufo paracnemis, Bufo d'Orbigny, Ceratophrys ornata, Hyla sp., and Atelopus telzneri. (In the first papers published by myself and my collaborators Bufo arenarum Hensel was mistakenly called Bufo marinus (L.) Schneid, according to the advice of the zoologists consulted; but in 1930 the error was corrected and since then the right name has been used.)

Bernardo A. Houssay

Papers

Hypophyseal Functions in the Toad Bufo Arenarum Hensel