Exophthalmos Produced by Injections of Acid Extract of Anterior Pituitary Gland of Cattle

Abstract

In former investigations 1 we observed that by injections of acid and alkali extracts of anterior pituitary of cattle, it was possible to produce in the guinea pig changes in the thyroid gland identical with those in very pronounced cases of Graves' disease in man, namely, a marked hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the acinus cells, softening and absorption of colloid and irregular shape of the acini, associated often with an almost complete disappearance of the lumen of the acinus. There was also a loss of weight induced by these changes which indicated an hyperactivity of the gland. Silberberg found that administration of KI to a certain extent inhibited these changes. This corresponds to the action of this substance in Graves' disease. Siebert noted a marked rise of the basal metabolism in guinea pigs under the influence of acid or alkali extracts and more recently found that simultaneous administration of KI tends to counteract the effect on basal metabolism. Closs, Loeb and MacKay 1 found the changes in the distribution of organic and inorganic iodine in the thyroid gland and blood of guinea pigs injected with acid extract similar to those which occur in Graves' disease.

During the winter, 1930-31, we observed that guinea pigs injected with acid extract frequently showed a greater bulging of the eyes than normal guinea pigs. In view of the correspondence of this change to the exophthalmos which is so characteristic of Graves' disease, we followed the alterations in the eyes on a large number of guinea pigs. Our inability to measure these changes accurately or representing them objectively, caused us to hesitate to publish these observations.