Effect of Xenoplastic Adrenal Transplants upon Limb Regeneration in Normal and Hypophysectomized Newts (Triturus viridescens)

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Abstract
The effect of xenoplastically trans-planted frog adrenal glands upon the regeneration of the fore-limb in previously hypophysectomized newts was studied. After extirpation of the pituitary, it was found that newts are no longer able to regenerate a limb. Frog adrenals, while not affecting regeneration in normal animals, were found capable of restoring to hypophysectomized newts the ability to regenerate amputated limbs. Control experiments showed that frog muscle tissue and other tissues transplanted under similar conditions had no effect. Therefore, xenoplastic transplantation per se played no role in the results observed. Hypophysectomized animals were more susceptible to adrenal therapy 10-20 days after amputation than during earlier periods. Since adrenal secretions appear to be involved in limb regeneration in nwts, the pituitary-adrenal synergism discovered for conditions of "stress" in mammals acquires a new importance for regenerative processes in amphibia.