PITUITARY-ADRENAL-FUNCTION AFTER ISOLATED REMOVAL OF THE MEDIAN-EMINENCE IN THE RAT

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 77  (2) , 185-191
Abstract
Removal of the median eminence (ME) resulted in a 30-35% reduction of the weight of the adrenals of female rats as compared to sham-operated controls. Hypophysectomy reduced the adrenal weight by 65-70% during the same period of time. The question arose as to whether the higher weight of the ME-ectomized animals reflected partially maintained hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal function. A combined (ether + blood withdrawal) stress did not cause significant increase in plasma corticosterone level in animals showe ME was removed 3 wk earlier. Nine weeks following the removal of the ME, female rats responded to the stress. Possible regeneration of axons belonging to the parvicellular neurosecretory system is discussed.