SERUM POLYSACCHARIDE CHANGES IN THE RAT FOLLOWING HYPOPHYSECTOMY AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF PITUITARY GROWTH HORMONE1

Abstract
Hypophysectomy in rats resulted in a significant drop in the serum polysaccharide-protein level. Administration of either of 2 growth hormone preparations to these animals at levels of 0.2-0.8 mg/day resulted in polysaccharide levels significantly higher than those of intact control animals. The seromucoid fraction was not altered by either hypophysectomy or growth hormone. Transplanted tumors or turpentine abscesses in hypophysectomized rats resulted in elevated serum polysaccharide and seromucoid levels indicating that hypophysectomy does not impair the ability of the rat to produce protein bound carbohydrate under conditions of stress.