THE GONADOTROPIC AND ADRENOTROPIC HORMONES OF THE CHICKEN HYPOPHYSIS

¹ Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin

The adrenotropic and gonadotropic hormone content of male and female chicken hypophyses was determined by injecting fresh suspensions into normal and hypophysectomized immature female rats.

The male gland produced a greater degree of gonad-stimulation than did that of the female. This result was found in both normal and hypophysectomized rats.

As tested in hypophysectomized rats both male and female pituitaries gave evidence of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing activity although the results indicate that the male gland contains these principles in larger amounts than does that of the female.

The gonadotropic action of male and female chicken pituitaries has been augmented by approximately 100 per cent by the addition of heme or a human pregnancy urine extract.

The adrenotropic content of male and female chicken pituitaries was analyzed by the injection of graded doses of material into normal and hypophysectomized rats. Complete replacement of adrenal weight of hypophysectomized rats was obtained when 500 mgm. of fresh gland was given. No marked sex difference in the amounts of this factor in the hypophyses was demonstrated.

Attempts to determine the lactogenic content of male and female chicken pituitaries by intra-dermal injections over the crop gland of adult pigeons gave negative results.