Abstract
Clinical and experimental data have been accumulating indicating a functional relationship between the anterior lobe of the hypophysis and the pancreatic islets. (See especially Houssay et al.) Due to the importance of such a relationship we think it justifiable to note briefly some remarkable findings bearing on this matter.
Two litters of purebred dachshund, one consisting of 2 males, the other of 2 females were secured. One male and one female were injected daily intraperitoneal with the anterior hypophyseal growth hormone, 21 free of gonad stimulating hormone, for a period of about 8 months. Skeletal growth and body weight greatly exceeded that of the litter-mate controls, the weight of the injected animals soon being double that of their controls. Skin overgrowth and folding were present in both but was particularly prominent in the male. After 8 months of daily injection the male developed polydypsia, polyuria, polyphagia and became emaciated. The animal suffered from skin infection with loss of hair. He was inactive and evidently sick. Fehling's test of the urine was strongly positive. Only a trace of albumin was present in the urine. Fasting blood sugar was 232 mg. %. When injection was stopped for one week the animal improved, but rapidly failed again on resumption of injection. At present, 4 months after cessation of injection, the animal still has sugar in the urine. The test for albumin is now negative. The volume of urine has decreased and the animal has almost completely recovered.
The female dachshund has now been injected one year. Though responding markedly to the growth hormone she has never shown clinical or laboratory evidence of disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism. Urine and blood sugar have remained normal.
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