The Harderian gland of Rana esculenta from the surrounding of Naples shows a cyclic secretory activity during the year, being at its lowest during fall and winter and at its highest during summer. Hypophysectomy carried out when the gland is at low functional activity (low temperature) causes a stimulation of secretion. The opposite result, i.e. inhibition, is obtained when the gland is at its highest activity (high temperature). Replacement therapy with homologous pituitary homogenate restores the respective initial functional status. Also the electrophoretic modifications of the protein patterns of the Harderian gland following hypophysectomy are prevented by replacement therapy. Among the pituitary hormones tested, TSH seems to play a major role. It is suggested that the opposite effects (stimulatory or inhibitory) of hypophysectomy on the HG of Rana esculenta might be related to the functional status either of the pituitary gland or of the Harderian gland. In both cases the temperature acts as the modulating factor. © 1991 Accademia nazionale dei Lincei.

Effects of hypophysectomy and replacement therapy on the Harderian gland of Rana esculenta

DI MATTEO, Loredana;MINUCCI, Sergio;CHIEFFI, Gabriella;VARRIALE, Bruno
1991

Abstract

The Harderian gland of Rana esculenta from the surrounding of Naples shows a cyclic secretory activity during the year, being at its lowest during fall and winter and at its highest during summer. Hypophysectomy carried out when the gland is at low functional activity (low temperature) causes a stimulation of secretion. The opposite result, i.e. inhibition, is obtained when the gland is at its highest activity (high temperature). Replacement therapy with homologous pituitary homogenate restores the respective initial functional status. Also the electrophoretic modifications of the protein patterns of the Harderian gland following hypophysectomy are prevented by replacement therapy. Among the pituitary hormones tested, TSH seems to play a major role. It is suggested that the opposite effects (stimulatory or inhibitory) of hypophysectomy on the HG of Rana esculenta might be related to the functional status either of the pituitary gland or of the Harderian gland. In both cases the temperature acts as the modulating factor. © 1991 Accademia nazionale dei Lincei.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11591/229969
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