Hypophysectomy of the cat

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Abstract
Cats have been hypophysectomized by a modification of the retropharyngeal route described by Allan and Wiles. The general effects are similar to those described for other animals and include a greatly increased sensitivity to insulin. The thyroids and adrenals lose weight, and show histqlogical regression, but since hypophysectomy in the cat is not a lethal operation, the adrenal atrophy is obviously not complete. The ovary, and thence the accessory organs, undergoes atrophy and becomes quite inactive. No undue persistence of existing corpora lutea was noted. Hypophysectomy in mid-pregnancy leads to abortion; hypophysectomy near term may be followed by the birth of living kittens, but these are not reared owing to lack of milk secretion. Hypophysectomy during lactation caused premature "drying off" of the mammary gland. In the adult male, hypophysectomy causes atrophy of the testes and accessory organs similar to that occurring in other hypophysectomized mammals.

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