ROLE OF THE NEUROHYPOPHYSIAL HORMONE IN THE SECRETION OF ANTERIOR PITUITARY HORMONE.

Extensive investigations are now being conducted on the possibility that the neurosecretory process is involved in the hypothalamic control upon the adenohypophysical secretion. Studies on the neurohypophysial hormones in relation to the secretion of growth hormone, prolactin, thyrotophin, and corticotrophin have been conducted for many years. Recent study on the effect of vasopressin on the thyroid activity elucidated some evidences that the hormone, if given relatively small amount under certain experimental condition, acts on the thyroid inhibitory, and if given large amount, it stimulates the thyroid secretion directly. It was also shown that the neurohypophysis plays an important role in the secretion of ACTH, that is, in neurohypophysectomized rats the secretion of ACTH due to emotional stress and epinephrine is inhibited. The purpose of this investigation is to clarify the role of the neurohypophysial hormone and neurosecretory materials in the adenohypophysial activity. Author