Abstract
Summary
Weights of the adrenals, ovaries, uteri and hypophyses of 6- to 9-month-old DBA x CE and reciprocal hybrid mice were measured in: (1) intact virgins, (2) neonatal castrates, (3) mice hypophysectomized at weaning, and (4) hypophysectomized castrates. There was marked reduction in size of the adrenals, ovaries and uteri in the hypophysectomized intact animals and of adrenals and uteri in the hypophysectomized castrates. Since at 6 to 9 months of age intact mice of these hybrid strains exhibit spontaneous enlargement of ovaries and hyperplasia of the reproductive tract, and animals ovariectomized neonatally exhibit hyperplasia of adrenals and hormonal stimulation of the reproductive tract, the present data provide definitive evidence of the essential role of the hypophysis in these hypercortical and hyperovarian syndromes.
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