METAHYPOPHYSEAL DIABETES PRODUCED BY GROWTH HORMONE1

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Abstract
Permanent pituitary or metahypophyseal diabetes was produced in dogs by purified bovine growth hormone. The thyroid-stimulating, adrenocorticotropic, interstitial cell-stimulating and follicle-stimulating hormones are excluded as necessary participants in the production of the diabetes. Prolactin also does not appear to be involved. The diabetes produced by growth hormone persisted throughout the periods of observation, up to 400 days, without signs of diminution. The diabetes is intense, but can be tolerated for long periods, up to 150 days of observation, without insulin. Insulin, however, improves the condition of the dogs. The insulin requirements were within the range of those found for depancreatized dogs. Pancreatectomy of the metahypophyseal dogs did not produce marked alteration in insulin requirements. The acinar tissue of the pancreas is normal histologically, but islet tissue is reduced and beta cells show severe degeneration. The insulin extractable from the pancreas is very low.